A carpenter who works most days in Fort McMurray is the winner of the Red Deer Kinsmen’s Dream Home Lottery.
Bryce Danroth, 31, received the good news while he was working in Fort McMurray on Saturday afternoon.
“I was in the truck with the boys for our lunch break, and honestly, I didn’t really believe it,” said Danroth.
The lottery co-chairs had planned to call the winner and pretend they were delivering a package from Canada Post.
But when Danroth told them he was out of town, they dropped the charade.
“My boys from work said, ‘Oh it’s probably just your buddies playing a joke on you,’” said Danroth. “I thought that myself for a bit, but when I saw it online and friends started calling me about it that’s when it sank in as real.”
The $700,000 dream home on Longmire Close was built by Larkaun Homes.
Other prizes were handed out Saturday including a $117,232.50 50-50 ticket payout to Red Deer’s Rod Smith.
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“That’s the best news I’ve had in a long time,” Smith said during a phone call with lottery co-chair Scott Bourke.
Some of the other lottery items included furniture, golf trips, a new car and a three-day fishing trip.
Ryan Philip, lottery co-chair, said the annual lottery brings so much joy to the community.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” he said. “It’s amazing Alberta came through to support this – one of the smaller lotteries.”
The total dollar amount raised hasn’t been determined yet, but Philip said it will likely fall between $250,000 and $300,000.
Compared to last year, 50-50 sales are up, but Dream Home tickets were a little down, he added.
All money raised will go back into the community through various charities including Red Deer Food Bank and Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter..
“Everything stays in Central Alberta,” said Philip. “When times are tough, it’s amazing to see everyone step forward and help others out.”
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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