Fort Erie Radio gives back as annual COPE Christmas Cash Split returns
November 24, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Tickets for the 2025 COPE Christmas Cash Split went on sale Monday at 12:01 a.m., start at $5 and will give residents a chance to support a local charity while competing for a jackpot that is expected to surpass last year’s $9,100 in sales and more than 2,400 tickets sold.
The online 50/50 raffle is licensed by the AGCO and open to anyone 18 or older in Ontario. Fort Erie Radio will announce the winner on air December 22 at 9:30 a.m., with proceeds aiding families who rely on the local food bank.
All money raised supports Community Outreach Program Erie (COPE), the food bank on Dufferin Street that serves households across Greater Fort Erie.
The current jackpot amount, with the same amount destined for the food bank, is as follows:
“When it comes to supporting families in our town around the holidays, there’s no one that does it bigger and better than COPE,” said Brent Jones, program director at Fort Erie Radio.
This year’s raffle adds improved early bird prizes. Ticket holders will automatically have a chance of winning a $200 gift card to South Coast Cookhouse on December 5 and a $250 gift card to Rizzo’s House of Parm on December 12.
Jones said the ticket pricing structure was adjusted after feedback last year to make it easier for more people to take part. Tickets now start at $5 and scale up in quantity for buyers who want more entries in the draw.
“There’s a snowball effect that happens when the jackpot starts climbing that gets more people to buy,” said Jones.
The raffle also runs a week longer than last year, giving people more time to participate.
“I think we’re going to blow last year’s numbers out of the water.”
The station, which serves as the promotional arm for this online lottery, plans to remain on standby the morning of December 22 for a possible in-person cheque presentation if the winner lives in Fort Erie.
All draws, prizing, ticket sales, handling of funds and licensing–no. RAF1516665–is being handled through COPE, a registered non-profit, located at 32 Dufferin Street, which means Fort Erie Radio employees, contractors, affiliates and their families are eligible to participate.
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About The Author
Andrew Hawlitzky
Andrew is a Niagara community journalist who has covered everything from local politics to annual festivals and breaking news. He works to make local news a platform where community voices lead the conversation. "If you don't like the news, go out and make some!"
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