Winner of 50/50 raffle for COPE donates his half back to food bank

The winner of Fort Erie Radio’s first annual COPE Christmas Cash Split isn’t keeping a penny for himself.

Bill Marr, from Garrison Automotive Service, had decent odds of taking home the large payout, considering he bought roughly 20 per cent of the more than 2,400 tickets purchased for the online raffle in support of Community Outreach Program Erie (COPE), a 40-year-old food bank on Dufferin Street.

By the time his name was drawn on air Friday morning, there were $9,100 in ticket sales.

While many people may have opted to keep their half of the prize, Marr chose to let COPE have the full amount.

“I know they can do a lot of great things with this money,” said Marr on Friday morning when he was visited by Fort Erie Radio staff and COPE to accept his cheque.

He was surprised because he never wins anything, “not even a free ticket in the lottery.”

Marr and his shop are just one of many businesses who support COPE and other local causes, he noted.

“It’s great that small businesses come together to support our community, and that’s what it’s all about,” he said.

Lynne Rey, manager at COPE, said she’s delighted by the final results and so many people participating in the fundraiser, but also that Marr was the winner, even if he hadn’t decided to hand his winnings over to the food bank.

“I was super happy to hear it was him because he supports COPE so much,” said Rey, adding she is incredibly thankful that Marr is donating the full amount.

She said the funds raised through the COPE Christmas Cash Split top the list when it comes to a one-time donation since she took over managing COPE about a year ago.

Rey also said the funds will be used entirely for food, and likely “special items” like meat, eggs and other frozen foods that will help supplement meals for food bank clients in the coming months.

“We’re so grateful we are the recipient of this,” said Rey.

Fort Erie Radio host Brenda Tyrrell said she’s proud to have been part of the fundraiser, but also noted that it’s been a learning experience.

“I’ve found it not only to be rewarding, but kind of eye opening as to how generous and supportive the people of Fort Ere are to others in the community,” she said.

Brent Jones, program director and founder of Fort Erie Radio, said the initiative was a way to show appreciation to Fort Erie for the love his local news media outlet has received since launching earlier this year.

“Doing something like this was a way to give back to a community that’s given so much to us this year, that’s embraced us so wholeheartedly,” he said.

There were 172 unique buyers registered in the raffle, some buying one ticket, and some buying several.

“It’s tough enough this time of year to get people to part with money for any cause,” said Jones, adding he and the rest of the Fort Erie Radio team are grateful to everyone who participated.

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