Dwayne Maguire almost missed his chance to buy a ticket for the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation’s Catch the Ace lottery, until a lucky last-minute stop changed everything.
Dwayne, who works remotely from his home in Combermere, usually buys his tickets at the CO Country Market. The impending draw date slipped his mind, until a quick grocery run where he noticed volunteers selling Catch the Ace tickets at the Barry’s Bay Metro.
It was mere hours before the Week 14 draw, so he pulled out the last $10 in his wallet, chose envelope number 12, and asked his wife, Rose, to fill out a ticket for him. Instead of writing down envelope number 12, Rose felt drawn to number 22, and wrote that one down instead. Pictured at top: Dwayne, with some help from his wife Rose, caught the ace and won an impressive $18,669.00
The couple was visiting with friends at Pine Cliff Resort later on that day when they got the call that Dwayne’s ticket was pulled. They originally thought that Dwayne won the weekly prize, but were shocked to find out that they were taking home the progressive prize, too.
Dwayne and Rose visited the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation on Thursday, August 7 to pick up their total winnings of $18,669.00. They plan on using the money to go on their very first cruise – a two-week trip around the Caribbean this winter.
Supporting Local Healthcare
St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation raises money for essential medical equipment and services at St. Francis Memorial Hospital, Valley Manor, and Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care.
This fiscal year alone, the Foundation has committed to providing $632,000 to the hospital (for items like a new mammography machine, patient beds, ventilator and more), $20,000 to hospice (for volunteer training, caretaker and bereavement support), and $55,000 to the Valley Manor (for a large washer, window curtains, and gifts for residents).
Funds generated from Catch the Ace go toward purchasing vital equipment and services for our local healthcare partners. This allows healthcare to remain local, and available when we need it most.
Thanks to the support from ticket purchasers, this lottery alone (lottery 8) generated $23,000 for local healthcare needs in the community.
Thank you to the following vendors for selling Catch the Ace tickets each week: Round Lake Centre Food Mart, Killaloe Hardware, Lorraine’s Pharmasave, Barry’s Bay Shell, CO Country Market, Ramona’s Hairstyling, Eganville Shell, Conway’s Pharmacy, The Cottage Cup, Killaloe Village Pharmacy, Round Lake Country Store, Barry’s Bay Ultramar, and Barry’s Bay MacEwen.
Thank you also to the dedicated volunteers who drive, pick up tickets, sell tickets, reconcile and help with the draw.
Stay tuned for another round of Catch the Ace in support of local healthcare needs. For more information, visit www.sfvhfoundation.com, follow the Foundation on social media, or visit our Catch the Ace webpage at www.sfvhfcatchtheace.com.
St.Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation (2025,Aug.8) Meet the newest Catch the Ace Winner! [media release]
All photos submitted.