Renfrew Hospital's Catch the Ace lottery down to four cards
The elusive ace of spades remains on the run in the Renfrew Victoria Hospital Foundation's Catch The Ace lottery.
Heading into Thursday, the local lottery contest was on week 48, and players were flooding into Dahl's Convenience to play.
"Ninety per cent of the ones that are coming in, they're coming in for Chase the Ace," says Louise Dahl, of Dahl's Coin Laundry and Coffee Shop. "Normally on Thursday we'll sell 1,000 tickets, just on Thursday alone."
By mid-afternoon Dahl's had sold well over 2,500 tickets before the 6:00 p.m. draw that day. With ticket sales climbing every week, Thursday's weekly prize was $28,713, with a total jackpot of $554,957.
To support the hospital, half of every ticket sold goes back to the hospital. This round of Catch The Ace, proceeds are being put towards the emergency department at the Renfrew Victoria Hospital, which hasn't seen a major renovation since 2001.
"Through the pandemic it's exemplified the need to do some essential upgrades in there," says Patti Dillabough, Executive Director of the hospital's foundation. "$2.50 of your ticket is going right back into your community health care. So it's a win-win for everyone."
Many locals who play the Catch The Ace lottery say they feel more optimistic of winning, rather than playing lotteries like Lotto Max or Lotto 6/49.
"All the numbers that I liked are gone," said Catch The Ace hopeful Pat Wilson, who chose envelopes 16 and 47 this week. When asked what she would do if the money if she won the jackpot, "Ah! Probably buy a house."
For those looking to win the grand prize, Dahl's is the place to purchase the ticket, with signs up for each of the previous winners buying from their convenience store.
"We've got seven of them up," says Dahl.
On Thursday night's draw, it was the nine of spades, pulled from envelope 47, meaning the elusive ace of spades remains out there for the jackpot to grow for at least another week.
"That's the community we live in," says Dillabough. "They're so supportive of our community hospital."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.