(File photo. paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Big winners

STARS announces lottery winners

Jul 10, 2020 | 5:00 PM

The STARS have aligned for a Regina couple.

Annette and Joe Marche have won $900,000 in the LUCKY STARS 50/50. Marche described the win as a “pinch me” moment they had only imagined the night before it became a reality.

Their win was especially meaningful, as a family member was transported by STARS years ago. Marche said he and his wife say a little prayer every time they hear one of STARS’ red helicopters flying above their Regina home.

“When you hear it, you know a life needs saving, and STARS is there for that patient and their family, like they were for us,” he said.

The ninth edition of the STARS Lottery Saskatchewan featured more than 1,800 prizes valued at over $4.2 million, including luxury vehicles, dream vacations, cash, and two stunning, fully-furnished show homes worth nearly $1.6 million each.

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“Overwhelmed” is how Yorkton resident Trent Senger described feeling when he and his family received the news he had won the Saskatoon area show home.

“Winning the house was mind-blowing,” Senger said. “I can’t explain how much this is going to affect us.”

Senger explained he knows many people who have been cared for by STARS, and he has supported the non-profit for years.

“I feel like the luckiest person in the world to have won and lucky to have STARS in the province,” he said. “We have to do what we can to keep it here.”

The lottery is STARS’ largest fundraiser in Saskatchewan. This year’s lottery was the most successful to date, selling out two weeks prior to the June 25 Early Bird deadline and raising approximately $2.75 million net for the charitable organization.

“We are grateful to our allies for helping us achieve a record-breaking lottery, especially during these challenging times,” STARS president and CEO Andrea Robertson said in a statement.

“With many of our fundraising events cancelled or modified, a sold-out lottery is critical to our ongoing operations. We congratulate all the winners, and we can’t thank the people of Saskatchewan enough for their support.”

This year’s top prize winners include:

· $1.59 million Regina area show home – Vanessa Ripley and Christine Drever, Saskatoon

· $1.59 million Saskatoon area show home – Trent Senger, Yorkton

· LUCKY STARS 50/50 payout of $900,000 cash – Annette and Joe Marche, Regina

· Early Bird “Truck, Trailer, Toys and $100,000 Cash” prize – Marjorie Strandlund, Regina

A full list of winners is available at STARSLotterySaskatchewan.ca/winners.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell