It’s been two weeks since Denise Sidloski won the Red Deer Kinsmen Dream Home and it still has not completely sunk in.
“Not in a million years did I ever think that was possible,” she said.
Sidloski moved to Red Deer seven years ago and has bought tickets in the dream home lottery every year but like many, it was more about giving to a worthy cause than actually expecting to be handed the keys to a new house.
Her prize was a 2,368-square-foot bungalow worth $744,000 built by True-Line Homes at 26 Tillier St. in Timberlands. The house features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a den, a fully upgraded kitchen with premium appliances, a quartz island, and walk-in pantry.
More than 100 other prizes worth $860,000 were also handed out.
Sidloski has not decided her next move yet. Her Deer Park home had already been up for sale when she won and she now has another decision to make.
It is likely she will eventually sell the Kinsmen home because she needs a little more garage space for her and her partner Doug’s vehicles, including Harley Davidson motorcycles and an RV.
In the meantime, Sidloski, 57, is continuing to go to work with Helping Hands Home Support Services and has no intention of leaving.
“I love my job. You know you’re appreciated and you really enjoy that.”
Sidloski has a range of clients from people in their 40s to seniors. For some, all they need is a little companionship and someone to play cards with. For others, she takes them shopping, helps clean their homes or preps their meals.
“A lot of these clients don’t have somebody on a regular basis to come and see them,” said Sidloski, who has three grown children.
Someone else will get a chance to share Sidlowski’s experience this summer when Red Deer Hospital Lottery draws for its dream home. The $890,000 bungalow located at 145 Emerald Drive in Evergreen features three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, large flex and family rooms and a big deck off of the dining room.
In total, the lottery offers more than 120 prizes worth more than $1.1 million. The early bird deadline is May 25, the early bird draw is June 8 and the final deadline is June 20.
The lottery is a fundraiser to provide critically needed equipment for several units at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.
Take it from Sidloski, it’s worth a shot and goes towards a good cause.