United Way winner in a new vehicle

"I buy a lot of tickets for charity … but never ever, ever win," said Hazel Volk Tuesday, as she was handed the keys to a brand new vehicle. "This was quite the shock."

Volk was the winner of the Battlefords United Way fundraising raffle main prize, a 2013 all-wheel drive Chevrolet Trax, sponsored by Bridges Chevrolet Buick GMC Ltd. Its retail value is over $32,000.

Hazel and her husband Wilbert, along with other family members, were at Bridges Oct. 29 with representatives of the United Way for the official handing over of the keys.

Volk said their first trip will probably be to Turtle Lake.

"That's where we have our cabin," she said, "or down to the kids' in Kindersley."

The is the first new vehicle the Battleford couple have ever had. It was well worth the $20 ticket.

Volk said she doesn't usually shell out that much for a ticket, but she had it on good authority she would win.

"We run apartment buildings, and the guy downstairs, Chris, came up to pay his rent," she said.

He asked if she wanted to buy a ticket, and she said only if she was going to win.

"He said, 'You'll win on this one,' and, sure enough," she said.

Volk had hoped to see him at the dealership Tuesday, now that he's proved a lucky charm.

"I would have loved to see him here," she said. "He'd have been mighty happy that he sold us this ticket."

The main prize was one of three top prizes drawn for at the recent Battlefords Best Business Showcase as part of the United Way's annual fundraising campaign, this year aimed at raising $260,000. Second prize was a $5,000 home renovation gift card from Battlefords and District Co-op won by Gerry Fernandez. Third prize was an LG 60" TV from Logan's Audio Video, won by Emily Clarke, and fourth prize was an ultimate indulgence day spa package valued at $300 from Logan's Day Spa, won by Greta Holmes.