The 2024 Dream of a Lifetime lottery has launched, with more than $5 million in prizes to be given out, including a fully furnished Minto dream home.
Now in its 34rd year, this major fundraiser for CHEO offers more than 8,200 prizes, ranging from the grand prize dream home to cars, cash, a boat, hockey tickets and more.
“Our prize providers have helped us put together an outstanding prize list and a Minto dream home that is going to wow everyone who sees it,” says Steve Read, who is president and CEO of the CHEO Foundation, which runs the lottery.
“This lottery is our biggest annual fundraiser for CHEO,” he adds. “It puts tools in the hands of surgeons, updates equipment in clinics throughout the hospital, creates programs for children and youth with diverse needs and, now, it will help us fund the biggest redevelopment in CHEO’s 50-year history.”
The grand prize, and always a big draw, is the designer-decorated, fully furnished Minto dream home package, which is valued at $3.3 million and includes $100,000 in cash, a Mercedes electric SUV, a $5,000 gas card, $5,000 in groceries, house cleaning for a year, moving services and legal services.
Another big draw is the 50/50 prize, which routinely pays out over $1 million to the lucky winner. And for the first time this year, the “Roads, Rivers, Riches” prize offers a boat to appeal to anglers in the region.
Touring the home
The dream home is open until Dec. 13 on the following days and times:
- Tuesday to Friday: noon to 8 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Closed Mondays.
It’s located at 845 Companion Cres. off Century Road East in Manotick. There will be signs.
There is no charge to visit the home and no appointment is needed.
Not able to see it in person? By mid-September, there will be a 3D virtual tour on the lottery website that allows you to walk through at your own pace and as often as you like. The virtual tour will also include extra details such as a design studio that identifies materials used in the home.
Early-bird deadlines
There are three early-bird deadlines with draws for special prizes. Winners of the early-bird prizes are still eligible for all other draws:
- Sept. 20: Roads, Rivers or Riches prize. The winner can choose one of the following: a 2024 F150 from Lincoln Heights Ford (valued at $88,250), a Yamaha 195S Sport Boat from Hurst Marina (valued at $89,900) or $100,000 cash.
- Oct. 25: Seinfeld and Gaffigan. Ten winners will get two tickets each to see comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan at the Canadian Tire Centre, plus $5,000 cash. One winner will get two front-row tickets to see the duo, one night for two people at the Brookstreet Hotel and $50,000 cash.
- Nov. 15: The early-bird deadline. The winner will receive $250,000 in cash. There are also 5,500 bonus tickets for the final draw to be won.
Getting your ticket
As it has been for the past few years, tickets are $100 each or 3 for $250. The 50/50 tickets, which can be purchased if you have a lottery ticket, are $10 each, four for $25 or 15 for $50. There are also packages that combine lottery and 50/50 tickets.
Tickets can be purchased online at dreamofalifetime.ca, by phone at 613-722-5437 or 1-877-562-5437, or by visiting the dream home (no cash taken). The lottery runs until Dec. 13.
For more information, visit dreamofalifetime.ca.
