CHEO has launched the 2023 Dream of a Lifetime lottery with more than $5 million in prizes that include a fully furnished Minto dream home, trips, cars, cash and more.
Celebrating its 33rd year, the 2023 Dream of a Lifetime lottery will see more than 8,500 prizes given out, ranging from the grand prize dream home to a special Bruce Springsteen early-bird prize, a 50/50 jackpot that paid out over $1 million last year, the return of the “car, camping or cash” early-bird prize and thousands more.
The grand prize
The grand prize, and always a big draw, is the designer-decorated, fully furnished Minto dream home package, which is valued at $3.2 million and includes $100,000 in cash, a 2023 Mustang Mach-E California Route 1 electric vehicle, a $5,000 gas card, $5,000 in groceries, house cleaning for a year, moving services and legal services.
“It’s a really unique home,” says Steve Read, who is president and CEO of the CHEO Foundation, which runs the fundraising lottery. “It’s a very different design from what we had last year.”
The lottery is a major fundraiser for CHEO, raising almost $14 million last year and selling almost 120,000 tickets.
“We were very happy with the results, especially coming out of the pandemic when people had choices into how they spent their disposable income, and it’s really heartwarming to see everybody stick with us and make sure that we were still able to support all the kids,” says Read, who expects this year’s lottery will bring cumulative funds raised to more than $100 million. “It’s been a significant fundraiser for us for a long time.”
Funds raised are used however they are most needed. “It can go towards equipment, it can go towards staffing, it can go towards the programs that we offer … or it can go towards research.”
Touring the home
The dream home is open until Dec. 15 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 364 Flare Grove 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 the end of 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. 29: The Springsteen experience. The winner will receive accommodations and dinner at Brookstreet Hotel, a limo ride to Canadian Tire Centre and two front-row seats to Bruce Sprinsteen’s concert on Nov. 18.
- Oct. 27: Car, camping or cash. The winner will get to choose either a 2023 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring hybrid SUV from Donnelly Ford, a 2023 Forest River Sandpiper Destination trailer from Leisure Days RV or $100,000 in cash.
- Nov. 17: The early-bird deadline. The winner will receive $250,000 in cash. There are also 5,500 bonus tickets 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, five 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 or cheques taken). The lottery runs until Dec. 15.
For more information, visit dreamofalifetime.ca.
