Two of the largest prizes in the B.C. Knights of Columbus draw have gone to lucky Cowichan Valley residents this year.
For 60 Years the Knights of Columbus in B.C. have been holding an annual draw to raise funds for local charities. In the past, trucks, cars, motorcycles, and cash were the winnable prizes. Due to the COVID pandemic, prizes have gone to cash only with the Duncan council of the Knights being top seller across the province for the last two years.
“To the Knights surprise and delight, two of the largest prizes went to local residents,” said a press release.
On Sunday, Feb. 13, Lorne Thicket, local draw chairman, and Joseph de Lange, Grand Knight, were able to honor Trish Ryder of Duncan with a cheque for $40,000 as second prize, and Cheryl Linton-Julian of Chemainus with third prize of $15,000.
The draw included seven Early Bird prizes of $1,000 each drawn on Dec. 4, 2021, awarded to Lorna Dan (Ticket #570989), Raquel Fox (#634654), Margaret Vanspall (#143661), Craig Kaith (#159363), David Barbosa (#601477), Edgar Ursua (#394746), and Barb Bloomfield (#422783). The main draw took place on Jan. 29 with winners Betty Hebert, Port Alberni, $60,000 (Ticket #478529), Trish Ryder, Duncan, $40,000 (#544823), Cheryl Linton-Julian, Chemainus, $15,000 (ticket #299083), Renso Bittante, Kamloops, $10,000 (#400096), and Kevin Fernandes, Coquitlam, $3,000 (#345313).
The Knights wish to acknowledge Duncan Canadian Tire for allowing them to sell tickets at their outlet and hope to repeat the success in the fall of this year. Unfortunately, due to the COVID pandemic, draw sales did not meet the same profits for local charities as it has in past years. Further information about the draw and programs of the Knights of Columbus can be found at kofcbc.org. The Duncan Knights can be reached via email at KofCDraw4253@gmail.com.