Westview resident Ron Fox said he was taken completely by surprise last Friday when Powell River Kings treasurer Joe Mastrodonato called to tell him he had just won the grand prize of $50,000 in the hockey team’s dream lottery draw.
“I was really surprised by the telephone call; I’d even forgotten it was the draw date,” said Fox. “I’m still on cloud nine.”
Fox has a rare muscle-degenerating disease and the winnings will help him with necessary equipment for the condition.
“I’m going to be needing a power wheelchair, so a major portion of the win will go to that, and then I want to help out my two sons,” said Fox.
Mastrodonato said it was wonderful to know the win will be able to provide necessary help to Fox.
“The night I called him he was so overwhelmed by the news,” said Mastrodonato. “We hope winning will help him and improve his quality of life.”
This is the sixth year the Kings have held a lottery. More than $110,000 in cash prizes were given away, with local residents claiming most them, according to Mastrodonato. A woman from Surrey won the fourth prize of $3,000, he said.
Fox says his sons, who live in Sayward and Summerland, do not yet know about the win, and he intends to surprise them.
“I don’t think they get the Powell River newspaper,” said Fox, “so I’m safe for another few days.”
