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STARS thanks Albertans with symbol of gratitude
April 13, 2016 By Matt Nicholls
In February, STARS issued a plea to Albertans. A stormy economic climate had led to slumping STARS lottery ticket sales, and it was in danger of not selling out for the first time in its 23-year history.
The organization said the response from Albertans was overwhelming. The phone lines were jammed and website traffic surged. Albertans from rural and urban communities alike stepped forward to help and buy lottery tickets.
More than $2 million worth of tickets were purchased in just three short days. With just hours to spare before the deadline, the last ticket was sold, netting the non-profit more than $11.5 million.
“It takes a community to save a life, and you play a key role in making that possible through your support of the STARS lottery,” said Andrea Robertson, president and CEO of STARS. “On behalf of an organization so greatly humbled and appreciative of every Albertan’s support: thank you. You have truly proven that when times are tough, Albertans are tougher.”
To honor Albertans’ steadfast commitment through good times and bad, every STARS helicopter in Alberta will proudly bear its “Times are tough, Albertans are tougher” decal until the next lottery in 2017.
This is a small gesture of appreciation to its steadfast supporters. It may be a $10 temporary decal, but STARS hopes that the sentiment is priceless.
STARS has placed these special decals underneath the nosecone of its BK117 helicopters and under the tailboom of its AW139 helicopters so they are visible when the aircraft passes overhead.
The organization hopes that when Albertans hear a STARS helicopter flying above, they look up and know this decal is there as a symbol of gratitude to them.
