Catching Up with Past Winners: Clarence Gibbins
Published Monday, July 8, 2024
Clarence Gibbins, past winner of the October 2023 50/50 Grand Prize of $1,444,838!
In October 2023, Clarence Gibbins from Lake of the Woods, Ontario, received the call that many only dream of – he was the winner of the Thunder Bay 50/50 grand prize, taking home $1,444,838. Now that some time has passed, we wanted to check in with Clarence to see how life has changed since his big win.
When Clarence first won, he mentioned that he would use the money to renovate his house. True to his word, he has been hard at work for the past eight months.
"There was no shortage of work to be done," Clarence shared. "I started the renovations a year ago, and with this win, I was able to finish them up much faster."
Clarence installed new siding and windows, giving his exterior a fresh and updated look. Another big project was rebuilding his deck, expanding it from the previous 10x36 structure to a larger space for entertaining and relaxing.
Inside, the house has seen a big transformation. Clarence replaced all the flooring and turned part of the main floor into a spacious primary suite. "Turning the extra bedroom into a bathroom has made a huge difference," he said. "It feels like a whole new house."
Despite the significant win, Clarence hasn't made any large purchases or extravagant splurges. "I haven't bought anything big," he said. "I've just focused on making my home comfortable for my family and spending time doing what I love, and that's good enough for me."
Clarence's win is part of a larger story of community support and healthcare improvement. The Thunder Bay 50/50 has awarded over $42 million in prizes, and has grown to be the largest monthly 50/50 in Canada, with all proceeds supporting our hospital right here in Thunder Bay. These funds have been crucial in enhancing patient care and providing state-of-the-art equipment and treatment options for both residents of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.
“I don't have any big plans looking forward either,” said Clarence. “I continue to support the Thunder Bay 50/50 because our hospital needs it, we all use it, and we all benefit from it.”
For those feeling lucky, tickets are available online at www.thunderbay5050.ca. As Clarence's story shows, it only takes one ticket to win.