by Richard Janecky

Retired Master Corporal Bruce Hill, the grand-prize winner of the CANEX/The Personal $10,000 shopping spree (right), gets a helping hand from Bob Brunet, CANEX National Manager, Grocery/ExpressMart.

With a week to go to Christmas, Bruce Hill and his wife Madilyn were treated to a last minute Christmas shopping spree, after being named grand prize winners of CANEX/ The Personal Insurance Company shopping spree contest.

Hill and his wife Madilyn of Oshawa, Ontario won the grand prize – $10,000 in CANEX Club XTra gift certificates redeemable at any CANEX retail outlet across Canada – simply by renewing his home and auto insurance with The Personal.

“When The Personal called I was shocked,” said the retired Master Corporal from Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Petawawa. “I didn’t believe it at first. My wife Marilyn answered the phone she thought it was someone trying to sell us something.”

To celebrate, officials from CANEX and The Personal had a limousine pick the Hills up at their home and drive them to the CANEX store at CFB Borden. There, they were welcomed by CANEX and The Personal officials including Bob Brunet, CANEX National Manager, Grocery/ExpressMart and James Malcolm a Senior Manager with The Personal. The Hills were presented with the wad of Club XTra gift certificates and turned loose inside the store.

“For the Canadian Forces (CF) community, CANEX is more than just another retail outlet, said Brunet. “Ever dollar we make goes back into the community as programs and services that benefit all CF members and their families. This contest is an extension of our relationship with CF members and their families and a great way for us to thank them for their continued support and patronage.”

Aside from an entertainment unit and other electronics they picked out for themselves, family was the focus for their shopping spree. They eyed up televisions, stereos, gaming systems and home furnishings for their three daughters, parents, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.

“The day we got the news my brother-in-law phoned complaining that his TV went on the blink. Thanks to this shopping spree contest he’s sure to get one hell of a surprise this Christmas,” Bruce said with a chuckle.

From left: Bob Brunet, CANEX National Manager, Grocery/ExpressMart; Second Prize Winner: Chief Petty Officer Second Class Alain McKee of Gatineau, Quebec: and James Malcolm, the Personal Insurance Company of Canada Senior Manager, Account Development

The Hills were not the only winners named in this contest. Chief Petty Officer Second Class Alain McKee of Gatineau, Quebec is the second place winner ($5,000 in CANEX gift certificates) and Christian Corriveau of St. Jean Quebec took home the third place prize (2,000 worth of gift certificates.)

The Personal has been providing group home and auto insurance to the CF for 25 years. It gives CF members the flexibility and portability they need in their insurance policies and because of its group buying power, TPIC can provide competitive rates.