Chase the Ace proceeds will be split between two Inverness charities
Next Chase the Ace draw is Sept. 26
Organizers for Chase the Ace in Inverness, N.S., say the real winners of the lottery are the two charities that will split the proceeds.
Both the Inverness Legion and the Inverness Cottage Workshop will directly benefit from the lottery whenever it concludes.
But how much will they have to split?
"Right now a guesstimation — over a half-million dollars," said Cameron MacQuarrie, the legion's vice president. "Probably climbing over that and hopefully by the end, who knows. We may be well over a half-million dollars to divide up equally."
Fever over the chance to win the jackpot that could be in excess of $1 million has swept the province. People from all over Nova Scotia have been travelling to the Cape Breton town to get a chance to find the ace of spades from the remaining cards.
Each week, the charities have been volunteering and helping the community prepare for the crowds that descend upon the town every Saturday.
Employees at the Cottage Workshop — a charity for people with disabilities — say they'll spend the proceeds on a new facility.
"We've been fundraising for a new building which we'll purchase in the town," said Cindy O'Neil. "Now we are working towards the renovation of that and an expansion. So the funds are going to make the difference for our beginning of that project."
The legion says they have similar plans to upgrade their aging building, but won't be spending all the proceeds in one place.
"The legion has a commitment to other types of projects in the community," MacQuarrie said. "We always accept the leadership role."
The next draw for Chase the Ace is on Sept. 26.