A Blackfalds couple is thrilled to receive an early anniversary gift worth $770,000.
On Friday, Kerri Nicholson’s name was drawn in the STARS 2009 Lottery — a 3,000-square-foot bungalow in Lethbridge. The three-bedroom house boasts a central custom staircase, main floor laundry and basement made for entertaining.
Nicholson, 34, learned she had won the home after receiving a phone call from an Edmonton television station on Friday morning. Then a wave of congratulatory calls came from family and friends.
Nicholson and husband Alistair, 38, are elated, but aren’t sure if they want to move more than 350 kilometres away. They were waiting to hear more details from STARS officials.
The Nicholsons say they’ve never won anything before — not even a free coffee.
They celebrate their 11th anniversary on Monday.
“It’s life changing!” said Nicholson. “It opens so many doors. It’s just a dream come true.”
The family formerly lived in the Northwest Territories where Alistair continues to work for a diamond mining company. Along with their two small daughters — Kayla, five, and Quinn, three — the Nicholsons now live in a 1,300-square-foot bi-level built in 2001.
The largest ever STARS lottery sold out on March 9, generating over $10 million net for the air ambulance service. The total number of tickets printed was 872,500.
The names of other top winners will be published in newspapers on April 3. A complete list of winners will be posted on the STARS Lottery website at www.starslottery.ca
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com