Russell, Ont. Catch the Ace winner takes home $2.45 million

Catch the Ace Chair announces the winner of their $2.45 million prize. Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (Kimberley Johnson/CTV News Ottawa)

Kin Club of Russell’s Catch the Ace lottery fundraiser has come to a close, and while one lucky winner has taken home $2.45 million dollars, the community says the real winners are the local charities benefitting from the program.

The fundraiser by the Kin Club of Russell ran for a total of 51 weeks and organizers say it has swelled to become one of the largest Catch the Ace draws in the province.

Every week a draw was held to open one of 52 envelopes in search of the winning ‘Ace.’ Each week the Ace wasn’t found, the game continued and the jackpot grew. In addition to the jackpot, weekly prizes were awarded which grew to over $100,000 by the end of the 51 weeks.

On Sunday, Shelley Eckford of Fitzroy Harbour drew envelope 42, winning a grand prize of $2.45 million.

The final draw was held at 3:15 p.m. and people across Russell were hopeful that they would catch the winning ticket.

“I’ll treat the whole restaurant!” Melanie Beaupre told CTV News Ottawa while eating lunch at the Big Bite Bistro. “Everyone’s talking about it and what they would do with the money and of course, we all think about helping our children and grandchildren.”

The draw managed to raise $3.3 million for 26 local charities, including foodbanks, hospices, hospitals and more.

“It’s changed the lives of our charities. Because the money that’s been raised— 3.3 — is really going to go a long way,” Chair of Catch the Ace Doug Anthony said.

“There’s always a winner, there’s always a loser, but I think everyone is a winner in some sort of way.”

Heather Mackenzie, who works with Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, says the fundraiser is a massive boost for her organization.

“Hugely important,” Mackenzie said. “They supported the Guide Dogs last year and they were able to buy necessary equipment. It’s very important knowing that our charities will get that money.”