A winners list is available at www.HealthWealthRaffle.org
As news of the economy weighed down the nation, the Health & Wealth Raffle, along with St. Joseph’s Hospital and Barrow Neurological Institute, delivered good news to lucky winners on Oct. 11.
Phoenix resident
Kathleen Remick was the first to receive the call that she was the winner of the $1-million Grand Prize in the Fall Health & Wealth Raffle, with her purchase of a 3-pack.
“With the news we’ve all been hearing lately, it’s a blessing to share good news, on behalf of St. Joseph’s and Barrow, and listen to the overwhelming joy and tears of the winners who tell me what a miracle it is to get the call that they were one of the big winners,” said Kathy Rice, manager of the Health & Wealth Raffle.
Remick broke into tears after Kathy Rice, manager of the Health & Wealth Raffle, gave her the big news. “I never thought I would cry, but I lost it, I was in shock,” said Remick. Winning the Grand Prize couldn’t have come at a better time for the Remicks. Her brother has been struggling with severe lower back problems. He has applied for disability several times but hasn’t been accepted. “I told myself, if I ever won anything, I would help my brother, and now I get to!” said Remick.
Other Grand Prize winners:
D. Davner from Gilbert won Grand Prize # 2 - $500,000. The 54-year-old Gilbert resident purchased a single ticket just five days before the final deadline in this fall’s Health & Wealth Raffle. Davner and her husband have been entering the Raffle since 2004, the same year her husband was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Barrow Neurological Institute. Their trying time at the hospital “was a wonderful experience,” said Davner. “They saved his life.” This is the Davner’s first win.
B. Krauss of Fort Mohave won Grand Prize #3 - His & Hers Mercedes plus $45,000, a package valued at more than $154,000. Krauss, a retiree, moved to Arizona in 2007 and first heard about the Health & Wealth Raffle from a close friend. Ever since, Krauss has tried her luck at the Raffle, hoping to become a big winner. “I was praying to God it would happen,” said Krauss “I had to take a breath. It was a miracle.” Krauss, an avid quilter, plans to pay off her mortgage and purchase a quilting machine with her winnings.
Other top winners share their stories:
M. Daniels of Sun City won a 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid plus $23,000. Daniels, a retiree of 16 years, has entered the Health & Wealth Raffle for years. She enters because she feels like it supports a great cause and wants to help St. Joseph’s and Barrow. After hearing she had won a top prize, emotions took over. “I could have fainted,” Daniels said. Daniels and her boyfriend purchased the ticket together and plan to split the prize.
R. Pollifrone of Scottsdale won a 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid plus $8,000. Pollifrone was at work when he received a call from Kathy Rice. He immediately knew something was up. “I’ve been entering the Raffle for years, and they don’t call you unless you’ve won a big prize,” said Pollifrone. Pollifrone recently was injured at work, so the positive news of winning a new car came at the perfect time. After entering the Raffle for the past four years, Pollifrone says luck was on his side. “My wife and I have wanted to purchase a hybrid car for a while, and the next thing I know, I won one!” said Pollifrone.
J. Fernandez of Scottsdale won a 2009 Dodge Journey plus $8,000. Fernandez was a children’s rehabilitation nurse at the hospital for 18 years before retiring in 1995. She heard about the Health & Wealth Raffle while working as a nurse at St. Joseph’s. “I’ve been entering the Raffle for four years, and I thought I would never win, but I enjoyed supporting St. Joseph’s and Barrow,” said Fernandez. “They do wonderful research and, in my opinion, take great care of our town.”
