FISHERVILLE—The Fisherville Lions have mixed feelings on the ace of spades being caught on November 15, at 23 weeks into the event.
“It would have been nice to go a bit longer, but we’re not complaining, either. It was great, and we’re sure doing it again,” said Catch the Ace Chair Ron Maas.
The ace was caught by Caistor Centre resident and farmer, Mike Smith, whose father had offered to get tickets from Fisherville and District Lions Club while he was heading into Hagersville to get a part for his excavator. His lucky number 19 envelope revealed the evasive ace of spades, and the 30-year-old father of three won $72,452.
“I was pretty surprised, I can tell you that,” said Smith, smiling, as he collected his cheque from a group of enthusiastic Lions on November 16. He said he didn’t realize he’d won until he was called around 8:30 p.m.
Smith said he’d not decided on where the money would go, saying it was either farm or family.
The event raised $155,480 for charity, which is going to Cayuga Minor Hockey and Fisherville Minor Sports, Haldimand’s food banks (Caledonia, Cayuga, Dunnville, Hagersville, and Jarvis), Haldimand War Memorial Hospital in Dunnville, and Rainham Central School.
“The hospital was obviously a good choice; food banks are always obviously a good choice. And the rest were important,” Maas said.
This was the club’s first Catch the Ace fundraiser, crediting the Hagersville Lions, in particular Dan Matten, for guiding them based on the Hagersville event’s unprecedented crowds and 44 weeks of draws before the ace was caught – with a jackpot of $1.8 million and money raised for charities at almost $3 million.
“Dan hosted the first week,” said Maas, telling reporters there was no loss of enthusiasm for the event, where things had just started to get really busy, and that they’ll be doing it again.
“Absolutely — you can put that in capitals,” he said, chuckling, adding how much fun everyone had participating. “What are we going to do now on a Wednesday?”
For now, the Fisherville Lions are focusing on their next big fundraisers: their annual stag fundraiser in February and their annual variety show in April.
To consider joining Fisherville Lions, call 289-775-0472 for more information.
