A Manitoba couple who won a CA$50 million (US$46.7 million) lottery jackpot in the Nov. 6 Canada Lotto Max drawing are sharing the wealth with their Sagkeeng First Nation community.
Kirby and Marie Fontaine have outfitted a hockey team and set their sights on a hot meal program at a school on Sagkeeng First Nation, about 100 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, following their Lotto Max win.
Claude Guimond, coach of the newly formed Sagkeeng 69s, said Kirby approached him shortly after the lottery win and suggested they put together a hockey team and hold a hockey tournament in memory of his late father.
Guimond, also the principal of the Sagkeeng Jr. High School, then rounded up 19 players who range in age from 16 to 40. They were transported in seven vans to Royal Sports on Pembina Highway in Winnipeg where they were outfitted with $50,000 worth of new equipment courtesy of the Fontaines.
"The reaction was just everyone was shocked — that he was willing to outfit the team, from top to bottom with top-of-the-line new gear. Everyone was floored," said Guimond, whose 21-year-old son is also on the team.
Guimond said Kirby put one stipulation on the team members: that they be role models in the community — drug and alcohol free.
"The only thing Kirby asked of the boys was for them to lead a good life. Make good choices. Stay away from the alcohol and drugs, and give your old equipment away," said Guimond.
The tournament is being planned for mid-March.
As well, the Fontaines have been making inquiries at a local school to take over the hot lunch program. According to school staff, the couple have said they don't want anyone in the community to go hungry.
The school doesn't want to be named until the Fontaines are ready to make the official announcement.
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Thanks to pumpi76 for the tip.
Thanks Todd, for posting the updated news about this couple.
I based my discussion question around their story. Unbelievable luck and what a ble$$ing!
He was down to his last $10 and he took a crazy chance. And so did his wife!
The rest is history! Their Christmas (and future) is looking very, very, very Merry!
Check it out here.
https://www.lotterypost.com/thread/204112
I'm part Canadian.. where's MY share?! NO Canadian pennies either!
so now - the school lunch progrm will feature caviar and Dom Perignon
(brand Milk) instead of virginia ham sandwiches and iced tea?
It's nice to see good people winning and doing nice things with their winnings. I think their good fortune will continue.
It's good to see Native Americans win and help their brethern. Obviously one of the posters here has no idea what first nation communities are. May the Fontaines be eternally blessed.
Congrats to the Fontaines! They seem to be doing a lot of goo with their money.
This is what being part of a community is all about. Those who can - do!
my aunt won 12 million 18 years ago, she left the rest of us in the dust. i'm the oldest of 6 and my husband is the baby of 8 if we win, mortgages are paid off new cars are purchased, your kid needs braces? no problem , we'd share with no regrets.
Nice move
Why would you expect your Aunt to give you money? If she earned the money working would you expect her to give you a share? Just because she won the money doesn't other people are entitled to part of it.
Besides, 12 million isn't THAT much. Money burns fast and it is probably not enough to last the rest of her life.
And if it was 18 years ago then she most likely had to take an annuity unless she did something foolish and sold the annuity to some company that buys them for a pittance. I don't blame that aunt for hightailing it outta there. You give everyone a piece and then you'll be the one ending up with nothing, nothing but a potentially hefty tax bill you might not be able to pay.