Sun City and Prescott Residents Win Big in Spring Health & Wealth Raffle
Retirees receive top two prizes in fundraiser for St. Joseph’s Hospital and Barrow Neurological Institute
Retirees from Sun City and Prescott received a once-in-a-lifetime call Thursday, letting them know they were the grand prize winners in the Spring 2010 Health & Wealth Raffle.
Prior to winning big in the Raffle, both live on fixed incomes. Both men say they plan to use their winnings to travel with family, pay bills, and help friends.
George Conley, Sun City, won Grand Prize #1 – a T.W. Lewis home and 2010 Mercedes Benz E350 Coupe. Grand Prize #1 is valued at more than $700,000.
Conley has been entering the Health & Wealth Raffle for four years and said he still can’t believe he is the grand prize winner.
“The biggest thing I’ve ever won was a bad hand at the casino,” said Conley who never expected to win the grand prize. “I don’t know whether I’m asleep or not; it’s still sinking in!”
Conley plans to take the cash equivalent of his prize and use part of the money to visit his two sons, who live in Massachusetts. Because he lives on a fixed income, he has not had the opportunity to see his sons in several years.
Robert Mardon, Prescott, won Grand Prize #2 – a beachfront condo in Puerto Penasco, 2010 Honda CRV EXL plus a Sea Doo jet ski with trailer. Grand Prize #2 is valued at $350,000.
Robert Mardon has entered the Health & Wealth Raffle since it first began to support the cause and for the chance to win incredible prizes.
“I guess you could say gambling is in my blood,” said Mardon, whose grandfather was a professional gambler in Tombstone.
The 81-year-old Arizona native intends to use his winnings to pay bills, plan a vacation with his daughter and get a new car for his good friend who drives him to doctors’ appointments and errands.
“I’m speechless,” said Mardon. “I like those kinds of phone calls; you only get one in your life!”
Other big winners in this Spring’s Health & Wealth Raffle include:
Sherman Atwood, Mesa, won a 2010 BMW 328i Convertible plus $15,000.
Sherman Atwood attributes his win to his wife. A two-time ovarian cancer survivor, she has a soft spot in her heart for contributing to local causes and reminded Atwood to purchase their Health & Wealth Raffle ticket days before the Early Bird deadline.
“I’ve never won a drawing in my life,” said Atwood. “My wife is the reason we won this tremendous prize.”
William Burke, Flagstaff, won a 2010 Audi A3 TDI plus $11,000.
William Burke enters the Health & Wealth Raffle every year partly because he enjoys entering raffles, but primarily because he wants to support St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Thirty-five years ago, Burke’s daughter was born prematurely and spent the first six weeks of her life at St. Joseph’s. The hospital took such great care of his daughter that Burke looks forward to supporting the Arizona institution each year during the Raffle.
“When Kathy called, I was shocked,” said Burke. “At first, you think it is a joke, and then you realize it isn’t a joke – it seems to be a wonderful stroke of fortune!”
Tad Erickson, Phoenix, won a 2010 Chevy Camaro 2LT plus $10,000.
Tad Erickson has dreamed of owning a Camaro since childhood. He was at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport when he received a call from Kathy Rice telling him what he won.
“I had to share the good news with someone, so I ran up to a random stranger to tell them what I had won!” said Erickson.
The 47-year-old was treated at St. Joseph’s Hospital after having a minor heart attack three weeks ago, and is scheduled to return to the hospital this week for surgery.
“I work in healthcare and visit hospitals all the time,” said Erickson. “The care I received at St. Joseph’s was extraordinary.”
More than 4,700 prizes were awarded in the Spring 2010 Health & Wealth Raffle. For a complete list of prize winners, visit
www.HealthWealthRaffle.org
.
