News

VON’s 2025 virtual jackpot 50/50 raffle was held during VON Week, our annual celebration of staff, volunteers and community supporters. In total, 1,250 participants purchased over 28,000 tickets for the organization’s second annual raffle event. 

Due to lottery licensing requirements, separate raffles took place in Ontario and Nova Scotia (the two provinces in which VON operates). Both winners were drawn at the conclusion of VON Week on May 23. 

“This year’s VON Week was one of the most exciting yet. We were so grateful to see the community recognize the work that we are doing together to help people live in good health in their own homes and communities,” says VON President and CEO Jo-Anne Poirier. “The raffle drawing was the icing on the cake. We were able to award two lucky winners with cash prizes just in time for summer, while netting over $15,000 to go directly towards caring for clients in need.”

Our Ontario winner is…

Sarah St-Jacques is the winner of VON’s 50/50 raffle in Ontario. Sarah is a VON personal support worker (PSW) in Hastings Northumberland Prince Edward (HNPE).

“I bought the tickets because I thought it was a good cause,” says Sarah. “I love the idea of helping more people stay in their homes. I know how depressing it is for people to lose their independence and have to leave all their stuff behind. I thought this would be a good opportunity to help.”

Sarah has worked with VON for more than six years, providing clients with supports that help them to remain living in the homes they love. She was inspired to begin a career as a PSW by the health journey of her grandmother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. “I wanted to be trained to help her,” Sarah explains. “But, unfortunately she passed before I finished training.”

She decided to stick with it anyway, drawn to the possibility of helping many others. “I really love what I do, the smiles on their faces and how appreciative they are when you come to help. I felt like this job is meant for me.”

Sarah enjoys assisting people with the daily activities that many of us take for granted—things like helping them get dressed, styling their hair, applying lotion and tying their shoelaces. “Sometimes they just want someone to sit and talk with them,” she says. “They don’t have anyone else come to see them.”

The mother of four children ages 10 to 19, Sarah was in a restaurant when she received the call saying she won $14,875. “It was a complete shock,” she says. “I was excited. I thought, is this for real? I never win anything.”

She says the winnings will be used to get her vehicle in good shape, as well as for summer activities for the kids.

Congratulations, Sarah! We appreciate all you do every day to keep people at home where they prefer to be!

Our Nova Scotia winner is…

Greg Nix, an award-winning community volunteer, is the winner of VON’s 50/50 raffle in Nova Scotia. Greg became aware of the significance of VON services through one of his volunteer positions—on the Wallace, Wentworth, Pugwash & Area Community Health Board.

“I got to know VON a bit, because they provide a lot of support for our rural areas in particular,” explains Greg. “In rural areas, VON is extremely appreciated. Health care is spread out so much, so having them come to someone's home is so helpful.”

Greg also notes he has a friend who benefits from VON services. “It’s multiple types of care, including home care. Without that, it would be hard to live in your own home. I know most of us would want to live in our own home as long as we can, and that is a focus of health care—how do we support folks being in their home longer and more comfortably.”

An occasional raffle player, Greg looks out for 50/50 draws that support his community.  VON’s virtual raffle popped up in his Facebook feed in the final hours of ticket sales. “I think it’s a good cause. Why not support VON? And so I bought tickets and got a call the next day,” he says.

The win of $4,850 came at a good time for Greg and his wife, at a point in the year when annual insurance fees and property taxes are due. “It's very exciting for us because it means we can have money for other things instead of just paying the bills,” he says.

The retired educator is a recent recipient of Canada’s Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers. He travelled to Ottawa in April to receive the prestigious award from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. Greg is also the recipient of several other volunteering awards, including Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Medal (Nova Scotia) and municipal awards.

“I was always a volunteer, right through my career,” says Greg. “But certainly since I've retired, I've taken on a few more things.” Among his recent activities, Greg volunteers with a local food bank and pursues his passion for developing multi-use trails in Cumberland County.

Congratulations Greg! A huge thank you for all you do!