File photo (image credit - CFJC Today)
BEST BIRTHDAY EVER

An unforgettable birthday for YMCA/YWCA 50/50 winner

Jan 17, 2023 | 10:30 AM

KAMLOOPS — It’s a birthday that Michelle McLeod will never forget, as she was announced as the winner of the Kamloops YMCA/YWCA 50/50 winner this morning (Jan. 17). McLeod received a phone call from Bryce Herman to learn she won nearly $250,000.

“It’s actually my birthday today,” said McLeod on the phone with Herman.

McLeod’s name was randomly selected by a third party at the announcement Tuesday morning (Jan. 17).

The other half of the $498,350 pot will go to support the Kamloops Y and the programs it runs throughout the community.

“This is such a monumental day for the Y, our lottery program is one of the programs that is allowing us to do many things our community, to serve people, to make a difference in their lives. To keep the Y alive in the community so that Kamloops can be a great place to live and to raise families,” said YMCA/YWCA CEO Colin Reid.

The programs that will benefit from the 50/50 include health and wellness, work with young families, and children’s programming. The funds also help help the lights on for the Y.

“Some of the funds are used to do simple things like pay utility bills and those kind of things. It’s a variety of things. And certainly, without the lottery in Kamloops, the Y would be a significantly different place,” added Reid.