Celebrating RAPS Lottery Winners!
Disbelief at a new car
The call was a little too close to April Fool’s Day to believe.
When RAPS CEO Eyal Lichtmann called Jacek Redlinski to tell him he had won a 2026 Nissan Leaf all-electric vehicle, Jacek at first thought it was a scam.
His initial response was skeptical.
“OK …” he said.
“I thought it wasn’t true… so close to April 1st,” he said. “I asked them to send me an email to prove it.”
It took that confirmation – and recalling that he had actually bought tickets after attending the RAPS gala celebration last year – that he accepted that it was real.
When he and wife Helena arrived at Applewood Nissan – right next to the RAPS Animal Hospital – to drive the car away, the reality set in.
But he explained his earlier doubts.
Once it sank in?
“It felt great,” he said. “We support RAPS. We support helping animals.”
Jacek and his family are true animal lovers, with a rescued dog, Opie, and a cat named Jewel – fittingly marked with a little diamond on her forehead.
In a moment that feels almost scripted, Jacek shared that at the fundraiser dinner months earlier, his wife had jokingly posed for a photo in front of the prize car.
“She said, ‘Take a picture in front of my new car.’ … Six months later, we get the call,” he laughed.
RAPS is profoundly grateful to Applewood Auto Group for donating the car – the third year in a row for the annual Applewood/RAPS Car Lottery. Applewood is RAPS’ most outstanding community partner. In addition to the annual lottery vehicle and other contributions, Applewood is responsible for the most game-changing development in RAPS’ history. Applewood donates the space for the RAPS Animal Hospital, a value over of millions of dollars. More than this, the hospital has saved and improved the lives of thousands of animals.
Thanks Applewood!
The 50/50 Winner: A Life-Changing Surprise
When RAPS called Amanda Groening to give her the news she had won the annual RAPS 50/50 draw, she was even more skeptical than Jacek had been – she didn’t even answer the phone!
“I didn’t answer the first time… I thought it might be a scam.”
After hearing the voicemail and checking the website, reality hit. Like the Redlinskis, she had been at the RAPS gala and remembered buying lottery tickets.
“I was shaking,” she says of the moment it hit home. The jackpot ultimately reached $46,700, of which Amanda took home half.
Amanda, who discovered RAPS by visiting our sanctuary, is a passionate animal lover with four cats – Bean, Thor, Amy, and Panda.
Her win comes at a meaningful time. After a serious accident left her unable to work full-time, Amanda has been rebuilding her life through part-time work and studies in administration.
“This is a good bundle for saving,” she said. “Wonderful for life.”
Her connection to RAPS runs deep:
“All you hear about are kill shelters and animals not being cared for… and then you see this place. The sanctuary is massive, the cats are happy… and then there’s the hospital helping people care for their animals. It’s just wonderful.”
The Real Winners: The Animals
Every ticket purchased, every dollar raised, and every moment of excitement from this lottery supports RAPS’ mission of saving and improving the lives of animals.
These wins are joyful – but they’re also powerful reminders of what this community makes possible.
A Special Thank You to Applewood Auto Group
We simply could not do this without Applewood Auto Group, whose generosity in donating the grand prize vehicle made this entire initiative possible.
Their commitment to RAPS – and to the animals we serve – is extraordinary. They are not just sponsors; they are true partners in our mission.
Thank You
To everyone who bought a ticket, attended the gala, or who support RAPS in any way:
You made this happen.
You are helping RAPS save and improve the lives of animals.