Ace Found in Week 50: Goderich Catch the Ace concludes with $830,456 winner

By: Pam Clayfield

The ninth Goderich Catch the Ace raffle came to an exciting close Friday evening when Justin Smith’s ticket number 40257 was drawn. With only three options left, he’d selected Envelope #38 to reveal the Ace of Spades which ended the 50week draw.

Smith took home the weekly prize of $50,387 plus the progressive jackpot of $780,069, for a remarkable total of $830,456.

This year’s Catch the Ace was one of the most successful in Goderich’s history. Over 50 weeks, the partnership sold $2,600,230 worth of tickets. Of that total:

$780,069 formed the progressive jackpot

$520,046 was awarded in weekly prizes

$1,300,115 (less expenses) will be reinvested directly back into the community through the three Catch the Ace partnership of Goderich Knights of Columbus, Goderich Legion Branch 109, and the Goderich Kinsmen Club

Organizers say the impact of the draw goes far beyond the excitement of the weekly envelopes. Funds raised support a wide range of local programs, charities, youth initiatives, and emergency services — strengthening the community year after year.

The Catch the Ace committee also expressed deep gratitude to the businesses and volunteers who handled inperson ticket sales, especially during the final five to six weeks of historic demand.

“We really need to sing their praises,” said Tim Martin of the Knights of Columbus. “They were overrun with extra work, and the community stepped up in a huge way.”

Ticket sellers included members of the Goderich Kinsmen Club, the Knights of Columbus Hall, the Goderich Legion, and local businesses such as Petro Canada Gas Bar, Val’s Beauty Salon, Cravings on the Square, Blake Street Bakery, Old School Automotive, Maxx Convenience, Ultramar, and Goderich Convenience.

With the draw now complete, organizers will take time to rest, submit their final report to the AGCO, and meet as a committee to plan future options.

“We won’t get started back up for a while,” Martin noted. “The community needs a rest too.”

Supporters are encouraged to watch for updates at goderichcatchtheace.ca as planning for the next round begins.

Goderich Catch the Ace Partnership – Goderich Knights of Columbus – Goderich Kinsmen Club – Goderich Legion Branch 109

A Record-Breaking Year in Context:

Catch the Ace has been licensed in Goderich since 2017, with one previous long run reaching 47 weeks — all through inperson sales at that time. That draw ended with a grand prize in the range of $17,000–$29,000, a far cry from this year’s extraordinary totals.

This ninth draw saw weekly prizes averaging around $32,000, and a progressive jackpot that climbed to $583,000 before the final surge of sales pushed it even higher. Organizers say the scale of this year’s run reflects both the popularity of the lottery and the strength of the threegroup partnership.

“Another big thing is the three groups working together,” said Tim Martin of the Knights of Columbus.

“It’s been great.”