April 28, 2022 · 0 Comments
The 44th Annual Tottenham C.R.I.C. (Community Recreation Improvement Committee) Draw takes place on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at the Tottenham Community & Fitness Centre, starting at 7 p.m. via virtual broadcast on Facebook.
Due to COVID–19 restrictions, the draw will be held virtually.
Ticket purchasers must be 18 years of age to comply with lottery license regulations. Tickets are $40 each, and going fast.
“We thank the community for their continued support! Although there is no dance or dinner, ticket holders will have the chance to win $29,000 in available total prizes. Prize denominations range between $250 and $1,300 and the Grand Prize is $10,000 cash funded by C.R.I.C.,” says Cheryl Boston, C.R.I.C. representative. “Although there will be no dinner or dance, we are recruiting local bands to provide entertainment during the three breaks to provide entertainment. Follow along on the TottenhamCRIC Facebook page for all the updates.”
C.R.I.C. was founded in 1979 by a group of nine individuals from Tottenham. These members were: Ron Coulson, Brian Duggan, Jay Feehely, Paul Feehely, Jim Golden, Ian Mollett, Tom Perry, John Stiver and Kerry Worrod.
“This group wanted to create an annual fundraising event to give back to the community’s recreational and cultural activities and facilities,” said Boston.
Over the years, C.R.I.C. has funded about three-quarters of a million dollars in recreational improvements the Tottenham area.
In addition to the numerous community groups and schools that receive ongoing financial support, CRIC has funded: Keogh Park/Tennis Courts lights (1980); Tottenham Tennis Courts resurfacing (1980, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2010); Tottenham Community Centre soccer field (1981); Tottenham Library Building Fund (1981–1983); Father F.X. O’Reilly track and soccer field (1984); Conservation Area Park Pavilion (1985); Tottenham Community Centre ball lights (1988); Tottenham Legion Building Fund (ongoing); Coventry Park baseball fields and Pavilion (1995–1996); Mel Mitchell Soccer Clubhouse (2009); Keogh Park re-build (2008), Tottenham Community Centre Kitchen Renovation (2012). More recently, C.R.I.C. contributed $15,000 towards the Coventry Light it Up campaign, and $50,000 toward the C.R.I.C. IdeaLAB & Community Room at the Pam Kirkpatrick Branch of the New Tecumseth Public Library in Tottenham. The equipment available in the C.R.I.C. IdeaLab includes: 3D Printer, Virtual Reality headsets, digital cameras, wifi, Cricut DIY cutting machines, media and music lab equipment, laser engraver cutter, meditation kits and more.
C.R.I.C. is currently working on a number of new projects and the Committee (Chris Ross, Chair, Alison Jacks, Treasurer, Lindsay Shearer, Secretary, Wayne Caldwell, Diana Taseckas, Peter Shmagola, David Caldwell, Cheryl Boston, Tony Persaud, Donna McAdie, Alan Lacey, Greg Garside, and Hayden Lacey) welcomes ideas from the community.
“We are a group pf people who care, and want to do good,” said Boston. “We always appreciate help and gladly provide students with volunteer hours. Now that restrictions are lifting, C.R.I.C. hopes to do more and be a part of more events. C.R.I.C. can be reached at tottenhamcric@gmail.com.”
This year, 1000 tickets will be generated, and Boston says the goal is to always sell out. “We don’t have a specific financial goal, but our mandate is always to put the funds back into the community. Funding applications steer the use of funds, upon approval,” she said. The draw is ‘elimination style’ with the last ticket number drawn winning the grand prize, and with prizes awarded along the way at certain elimination milestone numbers.
The C.R.I.C. Early Bird Draw took place at Tottenham Home Hardware earlier this month, and Charlie Dillane won the $500 Early Bird cash prize, sponsored by Smith & Associates, with ticket #632.
“C.R.I.C. thanks their staff for hosting the Early Bird Draw,” said Boston. “I love being a part of Tottenham C.R.I.C. because I get to share the value of volunteering and the significance of giving back with my kids. On a more tangible level, it is about playing soccer in the Tottenham Community Centre gym and showing them the C.R.I.C. stickers on the basketball nets C.R.I.C. funded, pointing out the C.R.I.C. logo on the fence at Keogh Park and watching their dad play ball under the new lights at Coventry Park co-funded by Tottenham C.R.I.C.”
Boston reminds readers to get their tickets before they sell out.
“Check us out online at www.tottenhamcric.ca or visit Tottenham Home Hardware – until they last,” she said.
By Wendy Gabrek