“This year’s STARS Lottery kicks off our 25-year anniversary celebrations,” says STARS President and CEO Dr. Greg Powell.  “Thanks to community support, what began as an idea 25 years ago has grown into an important link in the emergency chain of survival with three bases serving 94 per cent of Alberta’s population.”

The STARS Lottery includes five grand prizes worth over $3.3 million retail, including four beautiful show homes in Calgary, Lethbridge, St. Albert and Sylvan Lake. The fifth prize is a ‘home away from home’ truck and trailer worth $114,000.

In Calgary, the Cardel Homes show home is located at 24 Chaparral Valley Manor SE, in the Bow River valley south Highway 22. The home design is best described as a blend of interior sophistication and urban prairie architecture, and it’s loaded with upgrades such as eight-foot interior oak stained doors and African stained oak floors. The cedar shake and stone exterior features agorgeous  two-storey window wall and enticing walkout deck that offers views of the new Blue Devil golf course. The upper floor features the master bedroom — complete with a grand four-piece spa ensuite — and a large laundry room. This fully furnished, three-bedroom, 2,526-square-foot home is valued at over $749,900.

“STARS has flown approximately 19,000 missions providing rapid access to emergency medical care and transport for the critically ill and injured,” says Dr. Powell.  “The STARS Lottery enables us to continue in our vision of saving lives through partnership, innovation and leadership.”

STARS provides services 24/7 with the familiar red BK117 helicopters from bases in Calgary, Edmonton and Grande Prairie. The anticipated arrival this year of the new AW139 helicopter will allow STARS to respond even farther and faster.

Ticket buyers are eligible for all 3,080 prize draws. After each draw, winning tickets go back into the drum for the next prize draw. There are 50,000 single tickets for sale, 104,500 sets of 5 for $100 and 20,000 sets of 15 for $250 for a total of 872,500 tickets. The early bird draw is April 6, 2010, with ticket sales cut off March 17, 2010 at midnight. The final draw is set for April 23, with ticket cut-off at midnight on April 7, 2010.

Lottery tickets are $25 each, 5 for $100 and 15 for $250 and are available by visiting http://www.starslottery.ca or by calling 1-888-880-0992. 

Show Home Hours: Monday to Thursday 2-8 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 12-5 p.m. Closed Fridays.