A Prince Albert man is the winner of the inaugural Touchdown for Kids Lottery, held to support the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.
The foundation announced Ron Lypchuk as the winner in a Thursday evening press release.
Lypchuk won the grand prize of $1 million.
“It took a little while to register,” he said with a laugh. “That’s for sure. I thought it was a hoax, to begin with. It’s pretty exciting for sure.”
The lottery was launched this year as a partnership with the Saskatchewan Roughriders Foundation. It featured 2,100 prizes, including the grand prize of $1 million, an early bird prize of $500,000, 13 new vehicles, six luxury vacation packages, 41 Roughriders experiences, 213 electronics prizes and 1,100 gift card prizes.
There was also a halftime 50/50 draw. Gary Hack of Melville won that prize, taking home $31,1342.50.
Funds raised from the lottery will support amateur sport, education, health and wellness initiatives for the province’s youth, as well as maternal and children’s health care in Saskatchewan and at the Jim Pattison Children’s hospital.
Lypchuk, a realtor in town, said he’s been supporting the foundation for a number of years.
“At Re/Max, we donate a portion of our cheques to the Children’s foundation. When they sold tickets, I just did our part as well,” he said.
“it’s a very good cause, something the province needs, a place for the kids to go.”
While Lypchuk hasn’t yet decided exactly how he’ll use his prize, he said he intends to pay off some bills and might donate some of his winnings back.
“We’ll give the rest of it some thought of what to do and how to help the kids out,” he said. “If we can help some other people with it … for kids and that.”
In a press release, the president and CEO of the children’s hospital foundation congratulated the winners.
“Thank you to everybody who purchased a ticket,” Brynn Boback-Lane was quoted as saying.
“We are proud to have partnered with the Saskatchewan Roughriders Foundation; together we have laid a strong foundation to support the children and families of Saskatchewan.”
“The Touchdown For Kids Millionaire Lottery has been a great opportunity for the fans of the (Riders) and supporters of children’s health and wellness in the province to come together to raise awareness and funds for two amazing foundations,” the press release quoted Cindy Fuchs, the executive director of the Saskatchewan Roughrider foundation, as saying.
“Thank you for all of your support. We hope we can count on you again next year.”
The full list of winners will be posted today at touchdownforkidsmillionairelottery.com
More news and updates can be found on the lottery’s social media accounts.
A spokesperson for the hospital foundation was not immediately available for comment. It’s unknown how much money was raised through the lottery for the two foundations.
Lypchuk thanked the foundations for putting on the lottery.
“I’m very, very grateful,” he said.
“It’s hard to believe this happened.”
