Posted by Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Laurel Myers
As one-year-old Evan Maksymchuk's parents toured the Ultimate Dream Home, he sat in the middle of the master bedroom, looking at the new furniture, the plush carpet, the shining fixtures and the fresh paint - taking in what could be his new home.
On Jan. 20, Evan's father's name was drawn out of a
barrel of more than 56,000 tickets as the winner of the 2009
Canadian Hard of Hearing Assocition (CHHA) Ultimate Dream
Home.
Wade Maksymchuk and his wife Christine, who own their own home in Lively, have the option to take the home at 123 Nova Dr., valued at approximately $486,800, including all the furnishings, a home security system and a 2009 Chevrolet Aveo, or they can opt for the cash option - $350,000 - and still get to keep the furnishings, security system and car.
"We have a very tough decision to make here," Wade said, as he and Christine toured the home. "This is a beautiful home and we don't know which way we're leaning right now."
"I haven't even seen the house yet. This is my first time here," Christine said. "We haven't even had a chance to think about it."
Wade has purchased a ticket for the draw each of the eight years it has been running. However, he said he never expected to win, "it was just to support the association.
"(Our reaction was) shock, disbelief. It's still sinking in right now," he said.
"We still can't believe it, it's still sinking in right now," Christine added. "We've never so much as won our money back on anything."
The young family will have a couple more weeks to make their final decision.
"I tell people I don't even want to hear from them for at least a week," said Kim Scott, executive director of the CHHA, Sudbury branch. "It's a big decision."
Over the past eight years, Scott said it has been close to a 50-50 split with winners taking the home, versus the cash option. However, the homes are built to be affordable for the average family, the executive director explained.
"Our homes our not monster mansions. We build average-sized family homes, but beautiful, so if you win, you don't have to worry about whether or not you can afford to live in it."
The draw continues to gain in popularity and success each year, and the benefits to the CHHA continue to increase as a result.
Funds from the raffle are used to support the CHHA's programs and services, including the Hear Now! Fund. The Fund was created to help families whose financial circumstances would otherwise prevent them from purchasing hearing aids. To date, the CHHA, Sudbury branch, has helped hundreds of people throughout northeastern Ontario.
"With the change in the economy, we expect we're going to have a lot of people start coming forward that are going to need help," she said.
Scott added plans are already underway for next year's dream home.
The Ultimate Dream Home Draw winners:
1 - Wade Maksymchuk, Lively
2 - Ondina Bravo, Sudbury
3 - Kay St. Germain, Sudbury
4 - Jennifer Gibson, Sudbury
5 - Melinda Amalfitano, Sudbury
6 - Diane Demeis, Sudbury
7 - Diane Greene, St. Charles
8 - Gaetan Chretien, Sudbury
9 - Debbie Harper, Gore Bay
10 - Sam Galipeau, Sudbury
11 - Rose F. Demers, Sheguiandah
12 - Angeline Fillion, Virginiatown
13 - Heather Russell, Markstay
14 - Julien E. Sigouin, Sudbury
