Supermarket draw winner getting more donations to give away
A woman in Happy Valley-Goose Bay who decided to give away five $100 gift cards to a local grocery store, after winning the cash equivalent in a draw, says she's been receiving donations from other people to distribute to those in need.
Tina Noble Chiasson won nearly $500 in a 50/50 draw in October, and posted on her Facebook page that she wanted to give the winnings to families in need, in the form of a gift card to the local Northmart.
Noble Chiasson said by the next morning she had received about 50 responses from people who said they were in need, or from people wanting to nominate other families.
"Some of the stories are really, really sad, it really hits home because I was a single mother," she said. "This just goes to show how many people are hurting in Goose Bay."
She planned to give the cards to five needy families in December, to make sure they had all the food they needed for Christmas.
However, since news of her generous gesture made its way around the province, Noble Chiasson said she's received donations from other people who want her to have more gift cards to give to needy families.
Noble Chiasson said she now has nearly $2,000 in gift cards to the local grocery stores to give away.
"Actually, my goal is to feed each — to give a card to each and everyone of them, but if that can happen that will be great," Noble Chiasson said.
She added the goal needs to be met before December rolls in, so she can decide who will get the gift cards if there aren't enough for everyone.
"I will meet with them in person. I'm going to be selfish in that way because I do want to see the look on their face when I give it to them."
