Airdrie resident Victor Giese won the Calgary Stampede Truck ‘n Toys lottery and was presented with his prize, July 22.
“It’s pretty exciting,” said the 69-year-old. “I’ve been putting money into the lottery for quite some time now and this is a nice payback.”
Giese is now the owner of a 2010 Hybrid GMC Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab truck and a truck bed full of camping gear. He also received a family-pack of four Ultra Motor A2B electric bicycles. The total prize package is valued at $72,120.
Although he is proud of his winnings, Giese plans to sell the items because he already has “all the toys,” he needs.
“I have a fifth wheel and a truck and a van,” he said. “I don’t need the stuff and my four grandkids are too young to use it, so we will sell it and use the money for early retirement.”
Pam Fawcett, vice chair of the Stampede Lottery committee, congratulated all the winners.
“We had a couple new things this year, including a Kinsmen Wheel green package with an electric truck,” she said. “We try to appeal to as many groups as possible and, this year, we tried to be as environmentally friendly as possible.”
Giese and his wife have lived in Airdrie for four years. He has been a truck driver for 48 years and he said he doesn’t want to retire yet, but once he does, he and his wife plan to travel.
“We will go into B.C. and the (United) States,” he said. “It is always nice to have a little extra cash.”
Giese said he doesn’t consider himself a lucky person; he was just fortunate this time.
“We go to the Stampede every year because it is a lot of excitement and fun,” he said. “This year was just that much more exciting.”
Proceeds from the Calgary Stampede Lotteries ticket sales will support charities in Southern Alberta through the Stampede’s service club partners - Kinsmen Club of Calgary, Calgary North Hill Lions Club, Rotary Club of Calgary South and the Calgary Marching Show Band Association.
