It was 'time to end on a good note,' co-ordinator says, as popular Sudbury home lottery winds down

The Sudbury Kinsmen is ending its popular home lottery after 40 years, with the Kinsmen Showcase Sweepstakes co-ordinator citing mounting costs to build homes as well as aging members.

Mary Jane Drury, who has been co-ordinating the sweepstakes for the last 22 years, says the club just doesn't have enough members to keep going. 

"You've got a club of seven members, aging members … costs are rising, people's disposable income is becoming less with the cost of everything going up, so it was time to end on a good note," Drury told CBC News.

"It's been a journey that the Kinsmen have enjoyed taking with the public. We can't thank the public enough for their support."

'It's significant for the charities'

The Kinsmen club has been giving people a chance to win a home in their annual Showcase Sweepstakes for the last 40 years, raising a total of $15 million for local charities. 

"It's significant for the charities that are receiving the funding. All the profit raised from the home and the 50/50 [draw] go to local charities every year," Drury said.

"I was looking back [and] there's been over 50 local charities and probably more — I can only go back on my list that I have from 22 years, but I'd say probably 100 local charities have benefited greatly." 

She added that it's been a joy co-ordinating the sweepstakes.

"I love to see the people's faces when they come in. I appreciate being able to interact with them. I like to hear what they like, what they don't like, you know, how we could fix what they don't like," Drury said.

In January, the club shared a description of the home that is up for grabs this year. Located on Nottingham Avenue, across from Hazelton Drive, the group says the home is "a stunning sanctuary." 

"This elegant slab-on-grade home embodies the perfect blend of modern convenience and timeless comfort, complete with in-floor heating for cozy, year-round living," the group posted on social media.

The home will be opened to the public on Saturday at 11 a.m. with the draw scheduled for June 8. 

Drury says every year she looks forward to calling the winner.

"It's phenomenal," she said. "The person on the other end of course doesn't believe us. We invite them of course to call back. It's the best feeling for everybody."