By Lion Dan Matten
To The Haldimand Press
HAGERSVILLE—Last week on January 26, 2023 we held the 37th weekly draw for the Hagersville Catch the Ace.
We clearly reached a new dimension as we sold 38,352 tickets and had a sales total of $255,720 in one afternoon! It was steadily busy from beginning to end.
The weekly winner was Janet Wilson, who won $51,144.
With 30% from the weekly sales ($76,716) added to the previous jackpot, we arrived at $298,762 for the jackpot for week 37.
If Janet would have drawn the ace of spades she would have won a total of about $320,000, but she drew the 8 of spades and therefore we get to go another week.
Janet, 69, retired earlier last year but decided to go back to work part-time later in the year – one reason being finances. She said she will put her winnings aside and continue working part-time as she really likes her job, but having this money changed her perspective and outlook on her future. It is a safety cushion like she never had and it will give her peace of mind. Congratulations Janet!
My fellow Lion Rock ‘N’ Ray from 92.9 The Grand was the one who pulled the ticket and Janet is a longtime fan of his.
As a special announcement on his show last Friday, Ray was first to announce the new estimated jackpot for week 38, an outstanding $375,775! I estimate that the weekly winner will receive around $55,000 or more, even if they don’t catch the elusive ace of spades.
For the sake of the winner I hope we will draw the ace of spades, but for the sake of our causes, I hope it will not be drawn.
Of the $255,000 in sales this week, $127,000 was for our causes. Half of that ($63,000) will go straight to the West Haldimand Hospital and Healthcare Foundation. They have a list with all the priority items that need to be purchased for the hospital, and now they can take that list and start checking off items. In the end, we all have used the help and service of our hospital and we will benefit from them having the right equipment and tools they need to look after us.
So, keep on coming to the Hagersville Lions’ Catch the Ace. The next draw is Thursday, February 9 at the Hagersville Legion. We will start selling tickets at 1 p.m. to allow more time and opportunity for all to come and participate. One ticket is $10 or 3 for $20. Cash only.
