SACKVILLE, N.B. – Long-time supporters of the Sackville Fire & Rescue truck draw fundraiser will quickly notice something different this year.
But Laura Thurston, a member of the truck draw fundraising committee, notes the change will be a definite benefit to everyone involved.
“This year we decided we were not going to purchase the truck right away,” she explained. “We are going to take the value of the truck and apply that to any manufacturer that the Allen Auto Group owns. So that would be Hyundai, Kia, Nissan Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge.”
In addition to choosing a vehicle of equal or lesser value, Thurston said the winner could also potentially choose a vehicle of higher value as financing options are available through the Allen Auto Group.
“If they choose something of lesser value, then essentially the difference will come back to the Sackville Fire Department,” she noted, “and this year all of the proceeds will be used in building our training facility.”
While still in the planning stages, the new training facility would consist of storage containers that are customized to suit the department’s training needs, with walls that can be reconfigured, staircases and more.
Thurston said the training facility will allow department members to continue to practice with live fire despite new regulations.
“Due to environmental changes, and we want to be as friendly to the environment as possible, we don’t do live burns outside in nature anymore,” she explained, “because there are too many external factors to consider.”
A total of 3,500 tickets are printed for the annual fundraiser. If 2,800 tickets are not sold by the draw date, which is Sept. 22, 2018, at 7 p.m., the prize will be a 50/50 draw.
In its 13th year, the truck draw fundraiser has never had to go to a 50/50, with the department selling anywhere from 2,900 to 3,300 tickets in a given year. And Thurston is confident 2018 will be no different thanks to the outstanding support shown by area residents and business owners.
“Every year the community helps us exceed our goal . . . without them it wouldn’t be possible,” she explained. “They go above and beyond every single time.”
In fact, this year’s fundraiser is already off to a strong start, with members selling more than in previous years during the recent Fireman’s Winter Carnival. Plans are also in place for additional promotions between now and the draw date, with a goal of selling out early this year, so waiting until the last minute to get a ticket might not be a good idea.
The grand prize for this year’s draw is a 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 ST Quad Cab 4X4 (or any new 2018 model vehicle of equal or lesser value based on manufacturer’s program with Allen Auto Group at the time of the draw). Other prizes include: a $3,000 trip voucher from Maritime Travel (or $2,400 in cash); a 2,000 Watt Honda generator from Fort Equipment; $1,000 in gas from Sackville Esso; a Dewalt combo kit from Tantramar Electric; and $700 in groceries from Rose’s Your Independent Grocer.
Tickets are $20 each and include approximately $75 in coupons from local businesses. Tickets can be purchased from fire department members, Main Street Esso, UAP NAPA, Gary Estabrooks Auto Service and KD Glass & Accessories. Anyone who purchases 10 truck draw tickets ($200 worth) will have their name or business name advertised in the Sackville Tribune-Post as a gold level supporter. Anyone who purchases 25 truck draw tickets ($500 worth) will have their name or business name advertised in the Sackville Tribune-Post as a platinum level supporter and they and a guest will be honoured guests at the Sackville Fire & Rescue annual lobster party.
Area residents are urged to like the Sackville Fire & Rescue Facebook page for updates on this year’s truck draw fundraiser and other events.
