PARRY SOUND - Allan Bowers and Donna Amyotte are still reeling with the news.
Both unemployed - Bowers just finished a contract position teaching Grade 8 at William Beatty and his wife is unable to work due to a debilitating back injury, the $200,000 the couple won through the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Calendar Lottery is a huge blessing.
The couple has supported the foundation since 2002, when Amyotte’s father passed away, Bowers said Monday morning, but have never won anything.
Both Bowers and Amyotte were away when the Heart and Stroke Foundation called to notify them they won the Friday, July 6 draw of $200,000.
“She said you’re going to need to call us, you’re going to be really happy with the news we have to tell you,” Bowers said of one of four messages left for his wife, who held the winning calendar number. “I listened to the next message she left and the third day and the fourth day and on the weekend she left a cell number instead of an office number.”
When Amyotte was finally able to speak with the representative on Sunday, they learned they’d won. The calender had been bought in her name.
Although they just learned of the windfall, Bowers said they want to set up an RESP for their daughter, Sarah, 12, pay off any outstanding debts and give some to charity.
“We’re still reeling. We’re trying to decide what to do with it,” he said.
Bowers has been a contract teacher with the Near North District School Board since moving to Parry Sound more than five years ago. He taught at Parry Sound High School for four-and-a-half years before teaching at Beatty.
“My wife has a serious back injury that prevents her from working, so this will help us a lot,” he said. “It’s going to take a lot of the financial stress off of us. It couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s something we really, really needed.”