The progressive jackpot in the Sarnia Legion's Catch the Ace Lottery has hit a new high.
An estimated $3.1 million is up for grabs in Thursday draw.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 62 Past President Les Jones said he never imagined the progressive jackpot would get this big.
"Well our hope, and my hope was that we would hit $1 million just to break our old record," said Jones. "But, never thought it would be this amount and expand into such a huge event."
When tickets go on sale at 12 p.m., donations will also be collected from those in line in support of St. Vincent de Paul and River City Vineyard Food Bank.
"People love the idea that it has turned into a community event, that we help support other charities as well with our food drive," said Jones. "We have buskers here, and people comment on how well run it is and how much fun it is to come down here and be part of it."
Last week, thanks to donations from Catch the Ace enthusiasts and anonymous donors, both the Salvation Army and the Inn of the Good Shepherd were able to lift restrictions on their food banks.
The lottery fundraiser is in it's 41st week, and there are just 12 envelopes left to choose from in the hunt for the Ace of Spades.
Jones said money raised will help support local charities and community groups, as well as ongoing improvements at the Front Street branch.
"So we still have a couple of major projects that we are looking at, so this will definitely help us get that done. And, my executive and the current executive, are trying to get the building to a standard that it will be the next 20 to 30 years before they have to do any major projects."
Until the end of the fundraiser, two shuttle buses will go back and forth between Christina Street and the Centennial Park parking lots from 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
There is also free parking available in nearby city/county lots after 4:30 p.m.
Tickets are $5 each and available at the Front Street Legion until 7:30 p.m. sharp ahead of the draw.
