Bolton dealership donates new SUV to be raffled for Bethell Hospice 

By Zachary Roman

If you're reading this, you could be the proud new owner of a 2022 Lincoln Corsair SUV.

That is, if you get a ticket, or tickets, for the Bethell Hospice Foundation's 2022 car raffle.

The Corsair, valued at around $75,000, is not the only prize up for grabs. Anyone who purchases a ticket before June 29 will be entered into an early bird draw for a $1,000 gas card.

Another early bird draw was held on May 31, and one lucky winner has already received their $1,000 gas card.

The last day to buy tickets, which are $30 each or $75 for three, is July 28. The winner of the vehicle is set to be announced the following day.

The Citizen met with Bob Fines, Dealer Principal at Fines Ford Lincoln, Carlos Martins, the dealership's General Manager, and the Bethell Hospice Foundation's senior manager of Marketing and Communications, Kelly Stronach, at the Fines dealership in Bolton to discuss the raffle.

It's being held as part of ongoing fundraising efforts to support the work done at Bethell Hospice, a not-for-profit hospice care home in Inglewood that provides care at no charge to those it serves.

Fines is a member of the Bethell Hospice Foundation's board, and has been since 2017. His second three-year term will finish in 2023. Fines said in the early days of his career he admired Don Sheardown, a well-known community champion who has since passed away.

“He was one of those guys that carried the community on his back. He sponsored all the sports. If there was something going on with a charity, he'd be there,” said Fines. “He was a character, he was a very likable guy, he was a real entrepreneur, and he shared. I think subconsciously, I thought, well, if I'm ever in that position he's a good example (to follow).”

Fines said Hospice fills an important need for families. His business supports multiple charities, but at present the biggest effort has been for Bethell Hospice. 

In 1975, Fines began selling cars on commission. He grew up on a farm in Caledon and said the connections he made helped him succeed from the get go. 

“I knew I had been fortunate… my personal philosophy right from the beginning was try to support the community,” said Fines.

Martins explained the microchip shortage has been a challenge for all car dealerships. He said it was important to him and Fines that they provide a luxury vehicle for the raffle, specifically an SUV, as he said that's the most popular vehicle type right now.

They had a Lincoln Corsair in stock and it fit the bill.

When the winner of the vehicle is announced later this summer, Fines said there will be a celebration and a ceremonial handing over of keys.

“The thrill of seeing somebody win it and the thrill of hoping and witnessing them enjoy it, that's huge,” said Fines.

Martins said he's looking forward to extending the relationship with the future winner beyond just handing over the keys. He said some people who have won previous car lotteries for Bethell that Fines helped with — in 2014, 2016 and 2017 — are still service customers at the dealership.

Stronach said the Lincoln Corsair is going to be driven around to all kinds of community events this summer for visibility, and people can enter the raffle online any time at bhfcarlottery.ca.