The 50/50 for change charity raffle is once again underway in Swift Current, and the first early bird draw has been completed.

The draw saw $500 handed out as the first of two preliminary draws scheduled before the grand prize of up to $29,480 is handed out.

Funds collected from the 50/50 are donated to the Swift Current SPCA.

Winner of the draw, Willow Creek Manor, a retirement home, also hosted a booth on location to sell tickets for the draw.

Shirley Ann Friesen runs Willow Creek Manor, and said that she had plans to finance a staff Christmas party with the winnings.

Friesen said that she was happy to support the SPCA, saying that there are always animals around the facility.

"I was happy to be able to support the SPCA through Willow Creek Manor, and we do have three little puppies now, so we have other dogs around here, yeah, it's great."

Willow Creek Manor's winning ticket was put back into the draw for another chance to win the next early bird draw, as well as the grand prize draw.

The current value of the draw is over $6,000.

The next early bird draw will be on October 22 at 5 p.m., and the grand prize draw will take place on October 27 at 2 p.m.

Teresa Cole, development officer with the SPCA, said that they rely on a lot of community support to fund the facility.

"We don't have any provincial of federal funding, and we do receive a small municipal grant for the dog pound services that we provide, so that means that the majority of our budget each year, probably around 80 per cent of our total budget has to be raised in the community through various fundraising."

Cole also said that while they don't have a specific goal in mind, the funds raised will be put towards repairs, renovations, and towards the animals themselves.

The SPCA is partnered with Golden West Radio for this event.