Here's what the RotaryFest Take Your Pick winners chose

This year's RotaryFest Take Your Pick Draw winner is walking away $85,000 richer. 

Daniela Zagordo attended yesterday’s Rotary lunch with her husband Dave and their daughter Mia, where she accepted the prize cheque.

Daniela bought two Take Your Pick tickets in support of Rotary charities, one two weeks before the draw from Rome’s and one at the festival grounds. “I went to buy my ticket [at Rome’s] and there was someone buying their ticket in front of me. I had stuff in my hands and I didn’t have a cart, so I thought ‘maybe I’ll just come back another time,’” shared Daniela. “But then something said to me, ‘you know what, just wait.’” And it is a good thing she did, as the ticket she purchased that day from Rotary volunteer Lesley Crane was the winning ticket. The Zagordos plan to get a new kitchen.

The three Soo Mill bonus draw winners also recieved their prizes Soo Mill the same day. Trevor Alton, winner of the $10,000 Soo Mill gift card, was joined by the $4,000 Soo Mill gift card winner Donna Olar, and Laurie Kendrick represented her parents Eunice and Murray Patterson who won the $1,000 Soo Mill gift card. 

For more information, see the press release below: 

This year’s ROTARYFEST Take Your Pick Draw winner chose the cash! Daniela Zagordo attended yesterday’s Rotary lunch with her husband Dave and their daughter Mia, where she accepted her $85,000 prize cheque.

Daniela bought two Take Your Pick tickets in support of Rotary charities, one two weeks before the draw from Rome’s and one at the festival grounds. “I went to buy my ticket [at Rome’s] and there was someone buying their ticket in front of me. I had stuff in my hands and I didn’t have a cart, so I thought ‘maybe I’ll just come back another time,’” shared Daniela. “But then something said to me, ‘you know what, just wait.’” And it is a good thing she did, as the ticket she purchased that day from Rotary volunteer Lesley Crane was the winning ticket. The Zagordos plan to get a new kitchen.

Later on in the day, all three Soo Mill bonus draw winners met at Soo Mill to receive their prizes. Trevor Alton, winner of the $10,000 Soo Mill gift card, bought his winning ticket weeks before the draw when he was camping at Harmony. He was joined by the $4,000 Soo Mill gift card winner Donna Olar, and Laurie Kendrick represented her parents Eunice and Murray Patterson who won the $1,000 Soo Mill gift card. When contacted by the Rotary office, Murray explained that his children would be the ones benefiting from the win, as they purchased their ticket from a fellow resident (and Rotarian) at their retirement home.

The Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie and Soo Mill are now looking forward to their August 25th “Soo Mill Rotary Charity Golf Classic” in support of THRIVE Child Development Centre, an important resource for local children and one of the draw beneficiaries.

“Congratulations to the winners. Rotary is a huge supporter of youth in the community and Soo Mill believes in giving back to the community as well,” commented Joel Rowswell, President of Soo Mill. “We have similar values and we’re proud to support Rotary.” The connection between Soo Mill and Rotary dates back over 100 years. Soo Mill founder Fremlin Hollingsworth joined the Rotary Club in Sault Ste. Marie in 1920 and was one of the Rotarians responsible for creating the first Community Night.

The Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie would like to impart their immense gratitude to the thousands of people who supported this year’s draw. The fundraiser will make a big impact for local charities. Rotary invests in the Sault’s youth through Rotary Youth Exchange, Algoma Rotary Science Fair presented by Tenaris, Rotary Sports Awards, scholarships, local projects such as the Rotary Adventure Playground, and partnerships with THRIVE Child Development Centre and Easter Seals Ontario. To learn more about becoming a member of Rotary, email [email protected].