Red Deer County woman wins Kinsmen Dream Home

“I really believe in what the Kinsmen do in the community, they do such great work,” says Bjarnason. “Anyway I can support them I try to do my best, so I buy a ticket every year. It’s just one of the things we do.”

Bjarnason, a married mother of six children and 11 grandchildren says it’s a family win.

“I still can’t even believe it’s true,” she admits. “My family is nothing but supportive and excited.”

Bjarnason adds however, it’s ‘the cause’ that’s also fantastic.

“If everybody would help out in the community, we wouldn’t have as many problems as we do have,” says Bjarnason. “The Kinsmen are just such warriors in what they do for the community, it’s awesome and a shout out to the builders. That home is absolutely stunning.”

Bjarnason also notes the hard work and dedication put into the lottery from its volunteers.

“I don’t think people understand how many volunteer hours that the Kinsmen put into doing this lottery,” she points-out. “It takes a lot of time and these guys have full-time jobs and part-time jobs and families and kids in hockey and all the rest of it. The volunteer hours that they do to get this lottery on and over is incredible.”

Chris Klassen, Kinsmen Dream Home Lottery co-chair says despite some challenges with ticket sales, the Lottery was profitable this year.

“The 50/50 was quite profitable, the home also had made money and with the extension, obviously it allowed us the extra time to sell enough tickets to make some coin and give that money back to those groups and clubs and places that need it here in central Alberta,” declares Klassen. “The Dream Home Lottery finished at 72 per cent sold and the 50/50 was at 79 per cent. It’s a little bit down from previous years, like the last two or three but again, profitable.”

Klassen says the Lottery’s sponsors, trades, community support and over a thousand hours of volunteer time from its 25 members, all help to make it a success each year.

“It’s all our own personal time selling the tickets, working at the Dream home, that kind of stuff,” says Klassen. “You know what, central Alberta really stepped up and Alberta in general always steps up when service clubs are in need. If a group or club is in need of funding, they can go to the Red Deer Kinsmen website, there’s an ‘Apply for Funding’ link.”

Klassen says the Red Deer Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs are proud to support the community in the way that they do.

“If you just take a look around at a lot of the buildings and parks and stuff, you’re going to see Kin City Arenas and Kin Canyon Park, those are all Kinsmen-labelled locations,” adds Klassen. “But the donations to the Food Bank and Mustard Seed, Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre, Red Deer Minor Hockey, Pond Hockey, Symphony Orchestra, the Hospice, the NICU at the hospital. The Kinsmen have their names on a ton of stuff and when you start noticing Kinsmen, you start noticing how much the Kinsmen Club has donated here in central Alberta.”

Klassen concludes however that all the work that goes into the Lottery is always worth it in the end.

“Last night when Jolene came to the house and gave me a big hug and the tears on her face and the tears on my face and knowing that we’ve changed someone’s life, it made it all worth it,” he exclaims. “The Kinsmen motto has always been serving the community’s greatest needs and we continue to hold that motto in high regard. We couldn’t do this lottery without all the volunteers, all the help, all the sponsors, all the prizing sponsors, the trades and the home builders. We’re already starting on next year’s home and eager to get the 2019 project underway.”

2018 Red Deer Kinsmen Dream Home Prizing Winners

Kinsmen Dream Home – True Line Homes
Jolene Bjarnson of Red Deer County

2018 Ford Mustang Eco-Boost – Cam Clark Ford Red Deer
Colin Little of Red Deer

Wildcat Sport XT – CycleWorks Red Deer
Don Bidyk of Red Deer

Home Theatre Package – Pass Electric Inc
Bruce Perrin of Blackfalds

Groceries for a year – Eastview IGA
Michael and Karmen McCarty of Red Deer

Great Room Furniture Package
Jim Stapley of Red Deer

Bedroom #4 (Basement) Furniture Package
Wendy White of Red Deer

Theatre Room Furniture Package
Roger Mallett of Red Deer County

Master Bedroom Furniture Package
Dean Kohut of Red Deer

Dining Room Furniture Package
Carl Sulyak of Red Deer

Boy’s Bedroom Furniture Package
Mathew Bealle of Red Deer

Girl’s Bedroom Furniture Package
Tyler Salahub & Janette Battyanie of Red Deer

Loft/Office Furniture Package
Stephanie Lodewyk of Penhold

Private Dinner for 12 – Red Deer Food Bank Society
Norma Mauro & Dennis Christie of Red Deer

50-50 Cash Lottery Winner – $117,140
Taede Osstenbrug of Red Deer

by Sheldon Spackman

Red Deer County woman wins Kinsmen Dream Home

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