Woman wins $2.9M at Sydney's Chase the Ace

A Cape Bretonwoman home from workinginAlberta has won a $2.9-million jackpot in the Chase the Ace fundraiser in Sydney, N.S.

Chase the Ace winner pledges $25K for Fort McMurray

8 years ago

Duration 1:23

Kathy McPherson of Sydney, N.S., after winning $2.9M, quits western oil work and sends money back to those having a rough time

Kathy McPherson, 62, of Sydney, works as a labourer, most recently for a shutdownjobin Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.

"They asked me if I'd go back in August, but I don't think so," she said, standing next to her husband, Ron, who works as a scaffolder.

McPhersonsays her working days are over.

'Luck of the draw'

She drew the lucky ace of spades exactly one year after the Sydney contest began, from five remaining cards in the deck.

"I'm in shock. I've never won anything in my life," she said. "I guess it was just luck of the draw, that's all I can tell you."

McPhersonhas two children, a son in Newfoundland and daughter in Halifax, as well as grandchildren.

"I had to look at it again I didn't really believe that it was the ace. I thought it was a black, numbered card," she said.

Fort McMurray top of mind

McPherson says she has lived in Fort McMurray, Alta., and has many friends there, some of whom have lost their homes in the recent wildfire.

"I can't imagine the devastation," she said.

She says she'll be donating to the relief fund, and finishing renovations on her home.

The contest's two sponsors, AshbyLegion Branch 138 and the Horizon Achievement Centre, aredonating$25,000 of the draw's funds to the relief effort in FortMcMurray.

Union happy for member's win

McPherson's fellow Local 92 union members sent warm wishes to her via their Facebook group.

"Best kind. Such a hard worker," posted Anna MacLeod. "Congrats to Kathy."

"She is awesome," wrote Belinda King. "And so is her husband Ron!!! Incredible people they deserve this!!!!!"

Heavy ticket sales

Tickets sold Saturday for the 50/50 drawamounted to $1.39 million, organizers announced that evening, adding to the total collected over the past 51 weeks.

There were so many tickets in the bin that a volunteer had to stir them with a rake.

Sales have been heavy all day at participating venues, with people lining up with hopes of an easier life for their family and friends.

While waiting for the draw,Ryan Peach saidif he wins the jackpot, he won't be going to work for a while.

Roy Boutilier saidhe recently lost his job as a construction worker in the Fort McMurray area. He lives in the small community of Reserve Mines, N.S., northeast of Sydney.

AndBailey Ferguson said any winning would help with herbaby on the way and to pay off herstudent loans.

Even if the ace hadnot beendrawn, McPherson would have gonehome with at least $417,000, organizers say. That would have leftthe nextjackpot at a starting $3.2 million, before that day's ticket sales.

Organizers say it's too soon to say whether the Ashby Legion will hold another Chase the Ace.

• Chase the Ace in Sydney to donate $25K to Fort McMurray relief efforts