This April, the Airdrie Knights of Columbus are once again holding their Airdrie Dream Vacation lottery to raise the funds they need to support the many charities in their church and community.

Raffle Chair and member Wayne MacGillivary says that, since the fundraiser began 4 years ago, “We have returned over $60 000 to charities, and [we] hope to continue doing so.”  

The Knights of Columbus is a men’s Catholic organization, founded by Father Michael Joseph McGivney in Connecticut in 1882 as a fraternal insurance organization. It was initially intended to function as a mutual aid for Catholic immigrants, providing them with insurance, resources, and a place to socialize. The organization is now branched out all over the world.

The Airdrie Knights of Columbus received their charter in 1982, and have since grown to 212 members who are actively involved in supporting charities in the church and the community.

MacGillivary has been involved in the Knights of Columbus since 1986 when he joined the organization in Pictou, Nova Scotia. He has been a member of the Airdrie council for the past 6 years.

“It’s a great way to meet new friends and get involved in the community,” explains MacGillivary. “We’re involved in a lot of different things.”  

The council supports various charities throughout Airdrie, such as the Airdrie Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, the Airdrie and District Hospice Society, Special Olympics, local schools, and more. The Airdrie Dream Vacation fundraiser is their main source of income for supporting these charities.

“We used to be able to get out to the grocery stores and different venues to sell tickets,” says MacGillivary, but “Covid has sort of put an interruption” to that."  

Despite this interruption, the Knights are still doing well to promote the fundraiser online as well as with the CityView Paper and Airdrie Life Magazine.

The Airdrie Dream Vacation fundraiser begins early each year and runs all year long. Each month for 12 months, they give away a Dream Vacation voucher valued at $2 500, plus four draws for $120 cash.

“This year, we have 7 Early Bird prizes which will be drawn on February 14th,” says MacGillivary. “There will be a total of 67 prizes in all, with a 1 in 10 chance of winning. All winning tickets are returned to the drum for future draws."

Since travel is currently not recommended, the Knights are emphasizing stay-cations this year, encouraging people to explore “our own beautiful country.” There is also the option to exchange your voucher for 80% of the cash value.

If you buy a ticket now,” says MacGillivary, “We’ll give you a Dine Airdrie card while supplies last, so you can actually save $180 when the restaurants open."

For details about the draw and how to get tickets, visit www.airdriedreamvacation.ca   to check out the promotion, or to purchase a ticket online.

Tickets are also available before each weekend mass at St. Paul's Church in Airdrie.

All proceeds are returned to charities as required by AGLC License #566391

Visit www.airdriedreamvacation.ca for details.

If you have questions, contact Airdrie Knights of Columbus at tickets@airdriedreamvacation.ca

Follow them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AirdrieDreamVacation.