Manon Therriault, CEO, Red Deer Regional Health Foundation (L), is joined by Bill Robinson, President, Sorento Custom Homes (R), to present keys to the winners of the Red Deer Hospital Lottery grand prize dream home, Jim and Tracy Devries, of the Rimbey area, on Monday, July 25, 2022. (rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

By Sheldon Spackman and Alessia Proietti

Over $1.1 Million In Prizes

Red Deer Hospital Lottery prize presentation

Jul 28, 2022 | 4:12 PM

Keys to this year’s Red Deer Hospital Lottery grand prize dream home were officially handed over to a couple from central Alberta this week.

On July 25, Red Deer Regional Health Foundation (RDRHF) staff presented Jim and Tracy Devries of the Rimbey area, with the keys to their brand new $940,000 home built by Sorento Custom Homes.

Jim describes learning about their good fortune as the most overwhelming thing that’s ever happened to them.

“You buy a ticket, you never expect to win the major the prize,” he admits. “We bought tickets because her mother (Tracy’s) was on kidney dialysis, so we thought we’d start buying for the lottery and that’s the reason we did it. The unfortunate thing is, we just lost her mother here on the 16^th, so we’ll continue supporting, and I just want people to know to support your Red Deer Hospital Lottery.”

Tracy reiterates how grateful the couple is for all the wonderful care her mother received while at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.

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“All the doctors there, Dr. (Kym) Jim, Dr. (Edward) Lee, Crystal and the dialysis department, all the sponsors here, just everyone,” shares Tracy. “My mother knew we won.”

“We’re definitely thinking about living here,” added Jim.

Manon Therriault, CEO, Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, says proceeds from this year’s Red Deer Hospital Lottery and Mega Bucks 50 are being used to purchase critically needed equipment for several units at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.

In all, 72 pieces of equipment, including 29 patient lifts, a patient warming unit, 32 stretchers, and 11 other pieces of much needed equipment reaching departments like the NICU, Emergency, and Operating Room.

Therriault say 16 different units have been impacted by the generosity of the Lottery’s sponsors and ticket buyers.

“Given the last two COVID years, it was just insane the way that the Lottery went,” she exclaims. “It was very online based so people could support us that way. We’re happy to see that people are continuing to support us and we’re just going to keep going, year after year.”

Therriault points out, however, that it’s no small task to make the Red Deer Hospital Lottery a success.

“We have people who support us throughout the year and help us sell tickets and we definitely appreciate their time and efforts and their dedication. I can’t say enough about my team. They do a really good job all year to get this together,” she says.

“We’re grateful for the supporters who help us make this happen, we’re grateful for our ticket purchasers, we’re grateful to pour the funds into the hospital once it’s all over, and we’re grateful to hand over the keys!”

Bill Robinson, President, Sorento Custom Homes, says getting involved with the Red Deer Hospital Lottery is a great way for them to give back to the community.

“We donate a certain amount of money each year towards it, we donate our time, all of our trades make either time or materials, so there’s a large chunk of money that Sorento and Sorento’s team of contractors and suppliers put towards the house,” he explains. “They’re all very excited about this charity. It hits everybody. At some point, somebody’s going to be in the hospital needing some care, so they’re all on board.”

This year’s 2,994 square foot home is at 145 Emerald Drive in Red Deer’s new Evergreen neighbourhood. The home features three large bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a large flex room downstairs. It contains a shower room, an office, a large sundeck off the dining room, and a five-piece ensuite connecting to a walk-in closet and laundry room.

Red Deer Hospital Lottery grand prize dream home on 145 Emerald Drive in Evergreen neighbourhood. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

The winning package also includes home furnishings from Urban Barn and $10,000 in cash.

READ MORE: Health Foundation launches 2022 Hospital Lottery

Officials also announced Audrey Daines of Innisfail as the winner of the 2022 GMC Yukon SLT vehicle, valued at $81,987, and Richard Peart of Red Deer as the winner of the Mega Bucks 50, valued at over $332,000.

Richard Peart of Red Deer receives his Mega Bucks 50 winnings from the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation’s Manon Therriault. (rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

Audrey Daines of Innisfail receives the keys to her brand new 2022 Yukon SLT, valued at nearly $82,000. (rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

Winners of the other 120 prizes, valued at over $1.1 million, were previously announced on July 1. All winners, including early birds, can be found on the Lottery website.

Since 1994, the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation has been the main fundraising organization for the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre and other health care centres throughout Alberta Health Services’ Central Zone.