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Corporal wins big with The Personal
By Laurie McVicar
Contact Newspaper
 Appearing in the picture from left to right are: Gerry Mahon, CANEX President; Colonel Andre Deschamps, Commander, 8 Wing/CFB Trenton; James Malcolm, Senior Manager, Account Developer for The Personal; Corporal Bill MacDonald; Kim MacDonald; William MacDonald; Tarek Ghannam, Director, National Sales for The Personal; and Brian Tweedle, Director, Merchandising and Marketing for CANEX. |
8 Wing/CFB Trenton - Corporal Bill MacDonald of 81 Airfield Engineering Flight can finally drop his personal motto, "If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have none."
The carpenter was the lucky winner of an annual contest run by the Personal Insurance Company and will receive $1,000 a week for an entire year - equal to $52,000. Surrounded by his family and well-wishers, Cpl MacDonald officially received his winnings at a small reception held January 26, 2006 at the Trenton CANEX outlet. James Malcolm, Senior Manager, Account Development for the Personal, had the privilege of notifying the MacDonald family of its good fortune.
"We run this as a national contest where, if you call us for a quote on your car or home, you get entered into the draw to win $1,000 a week for a year, tax-free. As a thank you to existing customers, we enter their names automatically. That's how Bill won," stated Malcolm.
"I wasn't even aware (that I was entered)," said the winner. "I thought it was a practical joke." Malcolm broke the news over the phone while Cpl MacDonald was at work. "I asked if he was sitting down, explained the contest and said that he had won a little bit of money," said Malcolm. "I think he was in shock."
"I called my wife and when I went home that evening I said to her that we should call these people back just make sure everything is on the up and up. I work with some guys that like to have fun and play some practical jokes," he said with a smile. Bill's wife, Kim, is thrilled with the win. "I'm still in shock," she said. "It seems so unreal. We're excited and our family is excited for us." The family has no specific plans for the money, with the exception of paying a few bills, putting some on their mortgage and, of course, a few frivolous luxuries. "I want a limo ride and a set of drums," said Cpl MacDonald's 10-year-old son William.
For those disappointed by their loss this time around, no worries, the insurance company will be launching yet another contest starting February 15. Up for grabs will be a choice of either a sea-doo with trailer or a ski-doo with trailer. More details to follow soon.
The Home and Auto Group Insurance from The Personal is an exclusive program available through CANEX for employees and retirees of the Department of National Defence/Canadian Forces.