Things will look a bit different when the Sarnia Legion Branch 62 starts up its popular Catch the Ace fundraiser once again this fall.
Sarnia's Ashley Norton was the lucky winner of the Legion's third and most recent lottery, which was the largest Legion jackpot in Canadian history.
He took home the grand prize of just over $4.5 million, which included the weekly prize of $210,266 on top of the $4.3 million progressive jackpot.
This October, the Sarnia Legion will start with $25,000 in seed money, up from $10,000 last time.
Past President Les Jones said they're also looking to expand their reach while keeping their line ups smaller.
"The plan for the next one is to do it county-wide, with the exception of Forest," said Jones. "We'll basically run it but each branch in Lambton County will be selling tickets at their local branch. They'll come to us and the draw will be at our branch. So, that not only spreads the wealth to the other Legions that need financial help but it will also alleviate some of the traffic in downtown Sarnia to make life a little easier."
Participating Legions will include Watford, Petrolia, Alvinston, Thedford, Wyoming, Corunna, Grand Bend, Oil Springs, and Brigden.
Jones said money raised from the lottery will benefit local charities and community groups, while helping fund further improvements to the Front Street Legion.
"We have about $3.4 million that will be donated back into the community," he said. "There's still a lot of work to do, we have to get together and figure out where the money is going. We obviously have to vet all of these requests for funds. We're hoping by October we'll be able to donate this $3.4 million back to the community. We do get a sizable amount of money as well to upgrade the Legion and get it ready for the next several decades. We have some major projects like the roof, the parking lot and those types of things."
The weekly fundraiser grew to a community event every Thursday with thousands lining up around the Legion to get their tickets.
Jones said they never imagined the fundraiser would grow so massively.
"Not in our wildest dreams did we think someone would walk out of there with $4.5 million," said Jones. "Ironically, it's a gamble. You never know if the winning number will be picked on the first night or the last night. You just hope for the best, but you have to be in it for the long run."
Food and donation drives were added over the last several weeks, collecting goods for local organizations such as the Salvation Army, the Inn of the Good Shepherd, BGC Sarnia-Lambton, Sarnia-Lambton Rebound, and the Sarnia and District Humane Society.
An official start date for the return of the lottery has yet to be announced.
You can listen to the full Sarnia Lambton Beyond the Headlines podcast with Josh Boyce and Les Jones by clicking here.
