Life-Changing Win for Eastern Ontario Resident
A Fitzroy Harbour woman is celebrating what she describes as a life-changing $2.45 million lottery win that came through the Kin Club of Russell's popular Catch the Ace draw. Shelley Eckford became the latest multi-millionaire in Eastern Ontario after her winning ticket was drawn on November 16, 2025.
The Winning Moment
Eckford's remarkable win came during the weekly Catch the Ace lottery event organized by the Kin Club of Russell, a community service organization known for its charitable work throughout the region. The draw, which has been running for several weeks, finally produced its jackpot winner when Eckford's ticket was selected from among thousands of entries.
The $2.45 million prize represents one of the larger lottery wins in recent Eastern Ontario history and has completely transformed the financial landscape for the Fitzroy Harbour resident. While specific details about how Eckford plans to use her windfall remain private, she confirmed that the amount is substantial enough to significantly alter her family's future plans and opportunities.
Community Impact and Reaction
The Kin Club of Russell, which organizes the Catch the Ace lottery as one of its primary fundraising initiatives, expressed delight at having such a significant winner from the local community. The funds raised through these lottery events typically support various community projects and charitable causes throughout the Russell area and surrounding communities.
Local residents and lottery enthusiasts have been following the growing jackpot with increasing excitement in recent weeks. The $2.45 million prize had been accumulating through previous draws where the ace of spades remained uncaught, creating substantial anticipation within the community leading up to the November 16 draw.
Eckford's win serves as inspiration for lottery participants across Ontario, demonstrating that life-changing prizes do indeed happen to ordinary people in communities throughout the province. The substantial amount won through this charitable lottery highlights how community-based fundraising initiatives can produce extraordinary outcomes for lucky participants.
As news of the multi-million dollar win spreads throughout Eastern Ontario, lottery officials and community organizers anticipate increased interest in future Catch the Ace events and similar charitable gaming initiatives. The Kin Club of Russell continues to operate its lottery program while celebrating the life-altering moment they helped create for one fortunate local resident.
