FISHERVILLE—On the evening of Wednesday, July 10, 2024 Barb Pearson was on the phone with her brother when she heard friends knocking at her door. “Get off the phone!” she recalls being told. “’They’re trying to get a hold of you!’”
The ‘they’ trying to reach her were the Fisherville Lions with the news that she had just won Catch the Ace (CTA) 2.0. It was the 12th week of the popular fundraiser and the elusive Ace of Spades was found in envelope number five. As the winner, Pearson received $19,311.
Pearson, who lives at the lake not far from Fisherville, had started playing CTA a few weeks earlier when a neighbour offered to get tickets for her. Her good fortune on July 10 came with some luck as she explains, “I always picked number seven but was told it was gone, so I said, ‘Give me number five instead.’”
“It means a lot to win,” says Pearson. “You’re able to get a few things you couldn’t before.”
At the top of the list is a recliner/lift chair. While she has no other plans for the funds yet, her daughter, Wendy Jackson says, “There are lots of ways it can help make life easier.”
The CTA lottery is also helping improve life throughout Haldimand, as this latest round in Fisherville has raised $30,185 for charity. Recipients include the Norfolk Haldimand Community Hospice, Haldimand War Memorial Hospital, West Haldimand General Hospital, and local food banks.
While CTA 2.0 was shorter, the Fisherville Lions appreciate the value of the fundraiser. Lion Ron Maas, CTA committee chairman, says, “We had great support from the community and great involvement. It gives people something to do on a Wednesday.”
Lion Larry Moerman adds, “People made an evening of it. They came out to buy tickets and socialize.”
Maas believes the social aspect of CTA is one of several positives of the initiative. He says, “The money is going back to the community … and stays in the community (ie hospice, hospitals) and often the winner is local.”
Maas continues, “It’s a very typical Lions event. It raises money to give back to the community. That’s what Lions do. That’s what’s good about CTA – people know they have the chance to win and they are supporting community. We have fun doing it.”
