Today's the launch of a special lottery to provide a valuable form of transportation to and from our local hospital. Portage District General Hospital Foundation Executive Director Erin Miller says they're funding a helicopter landing area.

"We are getting a helicopter landing area at the Portage District General Hospital for the STARS helicopter to land here in a safe area, which will provide paved access for patients who have to load into the helicopter," Miller notes. "We are going to be getting that by having a hospital lottery."

She explains tickets are available starting today and cost $100 each, or three for $250. There's also a 50/50 draw for $20 a ticket or five for $50 dollars.

The early bird draw takes place on May 26th, which is also the Foundation Friday barbecue. Prizes include a side-by-side or $10,000 dollars.

The final draw takes place September 29th for $100,000, or a John Deere tractor from Enns Brothers, or a Tundra truck and trailer from Portage Toyota, or customized travel package from Travel Quest with $20,000 cash.

Tickets can be purchased at:

  • Avenue Honda Polaris
  • Century 21 Foxx Reality
  • Enns Brothers Portage
  • Hospital Gift Shop
  • Portage Clinic Inc.
  • Portage Toyota & RV
  • Travel Quest

You can also buy them online at portagehospitallotto.com or by calling 1-844-475-1010.

Plans are to begin construction in October.