With Bobby Orr's lucky No. 4, a local forklift operator scored. Big time.
Kevin and Julie McKenney won $250,000 in the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation Cash for Cancer lottery Sunday.
And the reality of it all came home when the entire McKenney clan showed up to the foundation's office at University Hospital Tuesday to collect the cheque.
"I cried a lot when I first heard the news," Julie said. "Kevin came into the room and woke me up from a nap on Sunday and said we both had to take this call. When we heard the news it didn't seem real at first. It seems real now."
Kevin's favourite hockey players are Bobby Orr and Cam Neely. Put their numbers together and it's winning ticket number 0804. He said he went into the foundation's office as soon as the tickets went on sale and picked two - his first choice was the winner.
The exuberant family gathering to collect the winnings included Dayna, 11, Tanner, six and Riley, two. They all live in the VLA and while Kevin works full time, Julie babysits a few kids in her home to help with household expenses. After accepting the cheque, Kevin was heading out to his graveyard shift, he said with a big smile.
Despite the modest earnings, each year the McKenneys buy at least a few Cash for Cancer lottery tickets.
"We think it's important to support local organizations that benefit people in our region, like the Spirit of the North," said Kevin.
The Salvation Army is another favourite charity they support each year, said Julie.
There are no really big plans for the money as yet, said the couple. Paying off debt is high on the priority list, but the children come first, said Kevin.
"We are going to set up education funds for the kids," said Kevin. "Credit cards and a loan will be paid off, then we're going to ask our financial advisor if it makes sense to pay off the mortgage or invest the money somewhere else."
Passports are also on the list since a trip to an as-yet unknown destination will be coming in the future, Julie said. Of course, the kids are asking to go to Disneyland, but Mom and Dad haven't decided yet.
Proceeds of the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation fundraiser are earmarked for an ultrasonic gastrovideoscope, which allows doctors to perform endoscopic ultrasounds at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. The cost of the scope is close to $400,000 and the foundation has already raised $275,000 through other events and donations.
