ASSINIBOIA - It isn’t just lottery winners who reap the benefits of the annual Spring Fever Lottery based out of Assiniboia, as nine community organizations are beneficiaries of the 2024 proceeds that resulted in over a quarter of a million dollars raised.
Recently announced, Marc and Tania Bellanger, won the $150,000 grand prize, and Terry and Gale Rein won the 50/50 jackpot, which was $85,835.
The lottery is a testament of true community involvement as the Assiniboia Civic Improvement Association organizes and manages the annual lottery that has just completed its 29th year. Community groups and organizations apply for funding and in exchange, they are asked to donate their time to help phone previous buyers, man the phones, assist with ticket sales which in turn gives back lotto proceeds to those successful applicants. Of course, those that support the lottery by purchasing tickets are also a big key to this community success story.
Local residents can see past and current winners on their website at https://springfeverlotto.com/
Recipients of 2024 funding include: Richardson Pioneer Southern Rebels, Assiniboia Golf Course, Assiniboia Minor Hockey, Assiniboia Volleyball Club, Assiniboia Skating Club, Assiniboia Minor Ball, Assiniboia Minor Football, Prince of Wales Centre and Southland Co-op Centre.
The mandate of ACIA is to support sport, culture and recreation within the community. This 29-year-old community lottery has been a major factor in contribution of $20M for Southland Co-op Centre, $7M to the Prince of Wale Centre and numerous other community causes.
Chairperson, Curtis Nelson, said, “We have also contributed to the card shed at the golf course last year and paid for the irrigation system at the golf course, as well as other projects. Theatre projector upgrades and upgrades at the airport have also been part of our work.”
Nelson has been involved in this annual spring lottery for 14 years and is committed to their goals and giving back to the community.
With 2025 being the 30th anniversary for the annual Spring Fever Lottery, Nelson affirms that they will be committing to a new Zamboni at the rink. The ACIA will be once again looking for other groups to help with a major project, as well as assistance with others.
Five people represent the ACIA and their continued dedication helps out a variety of community groups and organization, all of them are volunteers.
As this valuable community organization heads into its 30th year, residents can expect a celebratory flavor to their next Spring Fever Lottery upcoming in 2025.
Assiniboins can also applaud themselves for supporting three decades of these community efforts and all the places and spaces it has improved thanks to proceeds from this annual lottery project.
