St. Francis lottery winner chooses vehicle over cash

By

Gerald Tracey, Publisher


January 15, 2025

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Barry’s Bay – A well-known Petawawa man was the grand prize winner in last week’s Growing Together lottery sponsored by the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation which is raising funds for a $20.7 million expansion and redevelopment of the Emergency Department at St. Francis Memorial Hospital.

Shannon Clouthier was a double winner in the lottery that saw 1,492 of the 1,500 tickets sold as he was also one of three Early Bird Draw winners.

The 50-year-old is one of the owners in Hec Clouthier and Sons Inc., one of the longest-running family-owned logging businesses in the Ottawa Valley, was notified of his win shortly after his name was pulled from the drum last Wednesday morning. Dean Felhaber, President of Ben Hokum and Son Ltd., one of the sponsors of the grand prize – a 2024 Toyota Rav Hybrid valued at $56,000 – called Mr. Clouthier shortly after the draw to inform him of his good fortune.

“What!” was Mr. Clouthier’s immediate response.

Petawawa Toyota, owned by Jimmy Lapointe, was also a sponsor of the grand prize.

After deliberating with his wife, Carleen, for several days whether to choose the vehicle or $44,000 cash, the couple decided to take the vehicle. Carleen is the daughter of Dennis and Ann Zadow of Eganville.

“I got lucky, that’s for sure,” Mr. Clouthier told the Leader. “Was I some excited I’ll tell you. When it first happened, I was kind of in shock. It took a little time, but after a while I thought, ‘O my God, I just can’t believe it’.

“I was a little thrown off (when Dean called). Then the next thing you know, he said. ‘No, I’m not joking’.”

An ardent supporter of St. Francis Memorial Hospital and other healthcare facilities in the county, Mr. Felhaber sent emails to his many contacts in the forest industry encouraging them to support the lottery. Mr. Clouthier was on the list of those he encouraged to buy a ticket and he said it was a great project to support.

Mrs. Clouthier owns the Canadian Baby Company in downtown Pembroke and was scheduled to go to Toronto last week on a buying trip for the store so the couple needed a few extra days to make their decision.

The win was a nice turn of events in Mr. Clouthier’s life after his close call with death following a snowmobile mishap in 2006 shortly after the couple were married. He sustained serious spinal cord injuries in a remote area north of Des Joachims, Quebec that could have resulted in him being paralyzed. However, after a three-month stay in hospital and years of therapy, he was able to walk again lead a near-normal life.

The Clouthiers have two sons: T.J., 19, who is in his second year of business at Ottawa University, and Lucas, 16, who attends Bishop Smith Catholic High School.

The Clouthiers decided to take the cash and that means the Growing Together lottery raised $156,000 for the campaign.

There were many thank yous to hand out at the draw last week and Executive Director Erin Gienow paid tribute to the main donors, Ben Hokum and Son and Petawawa Toyota. She also expressed gratitude to the outlets selling lottery tickets: Lorraine’s Pharmacy, Barry’s Bay Shell, Eganville Foodland, Killaloe Hardware, Whitney Pharmacy, CO Country Market, The Cottage Cup, Round Lake Centre Food Market, Round Lake Country Store and Wilno Building Supply.

Many volunteers assisted with the lottery and special thanks was given to Dr. Joe Cybulski who played a key role in the lottery.

Ms. Gienow said proceeds from the lottery will help with the 6,000-square-foot redevelopment of the emergency department and a 6,000 square foot renovation of the hospital’s ambulatory care clinic.

“Every ticket purchased has helped us get closer to our goal,” she said.

The hospital foundation is responsible for raising 10 per cent or $2.7 million of the project’s cost. Ms. Gienow said the foundation has almost reached its goal.

Winners of the three early bird draws were Stephen Hubbard of Barry’s Bay who won the Yeti package, valued at $1,500; Judith Daley of Barry’s Bay, who won the $2,000 Apple gift card, and Mr. Clouthier who took home $1,000 cash in December and purchased more tickets.

The lottery raised about $136,000 for the campaign.