A trip to the recent Quinte Sportsman Boat and RV Show in Belleville has paid off in a big way for a retired person from Quinte West.

Dianne Zevenbergen of Quinte West has won the $5,000 Travel voucher from the Belleville General Hospital Foundation Travel Giveaway Lottery.

The recent retiree purchased the ticket at the show in Belleville, which had a record turnout of more than 15,000 people over the three-day event.

Draw winner Dianne said she is already starting to plan ‘maybe our next trip to Cuba or we’ve always thought of taking a cruise.’ With the $5000 Travel Giveaway voucher through Blowes Stewart Travel Group, she can write her own dream vacation wish-list.

Raising almost $12,000 for Belleville General Hospital Foundation, the prize was donated by Quinte Sportsman Boat and RV Show to raise funds for urgently needed medical equipment in BGH. Lori and Jeff Cox, as well as Catharine Cox are the organizers, saying ‘Our first sportsman show in two years was a success and we are happy to pay it forward by donating the travel voucher. We love to help sell tickets for Camp4Cancer and the Travel Giveaway and will continue to support however we can.  It all helps to ensure everyone gets the treatment they need, close to home.’

Steve Cook, Executive Director of BGHF expressed gratitude for the Cox family ‘supporting the Foundation across so many initiatives, their commitment to BGH has grown year on year. We were thrilled to participate at the Sportsman show and meet so many generous supporters. It was a great venue to bring Belleville General Hospital Foundation into the community.’

The Travel Giveaway draw took place March 31, 2023 at the Carl Cox RV and Sales location. A total of 1170 tickets were sold online, at BGHF offices and through Carl Cox RV & Sales, as well as through volunteers in the community, raising nearly $12,000 for BGHF.