The winner of May’s Sault Area Hospital Foundation 50/50 draw was so shocked by the news, he called back later to make sure he heard right.
Draw organizers called Jerry Tombari of Sault Ste. Marie on May 30 to tell him he won the $55,105 jackpot with ticket M-23936156.
His response? “You’ve got to be kidding, right?,” he asked before putting the call on speakerphone so his wife Joan could share in the excitement.
Tombari is still figuring out how to spend his winnings, but with a week-long fishing trip on the horizon, some new gear may be in his future.
“It’s important for us to support the hospital,” he said in a news release. “It’s our number one charity.”
“We’re all getting older and we know that the hospital will be there when we need it.”
Stephanie Riel of Sault Ste. Marie won the early bird prize of $10,000 with ticket M-13461987.
“Calling winners each month is the kind of excitement that never gets old. Some people know exactly why we’re calling. Others, like Jerry, can hardly believe the news,” said Teresa Martone, executive director for Sault Area Hospital Foundation.
“We’re so thankful for people like Jerry, and everyone who plays SAHF lotteries. Every ticket purchased helps support the purchase of critical medical equipment for our hospital.”
Tickets for June’s draw are on sale now. The jackpot has already surpassed $45,000.