Fundraiser for Maquis Road fire victims

On the night of September first, Crystal Martineau and her husband lost their home and cat to flames that engulfed their home at 230 Maquis Road in Aylmer.

In an attempt to help the family get back on their feet, close friends have taken to Facebook to collect funds.

The public Facebook group called “fundraiser for Crystal Martineau” has already attracted over 150 members.

Aside from the family’s popularity, a key to the group’s success and rapid growth may be their unique 25/75-split lottery fundraising strategy. People buy into the lottery by purchasing tickets at the price point of $5 for one ticket or $10  for three tickets.

The winner of this draw will receive 25% of the total money raised, with the remaining 75% going to the family.

A group administrator and close friend of the victims, Samantha Visser, stated the group opted for this strategy “because it is a way to inspire people to donate and donate quickly, even though some may not know the family very well, and because we knew Crystal lost everything in the fire. All she walked out with were the clothes on her back, her purse, her husband and her dog.”

At the date of publication, the group has raised around $2,300 with the majority of donors stating their intent to donate their 25% back to the family should they win the draw.