Who knew buying groceries and entering a store contest could change your life? Jasime Waylett of North Bay, found out she can 'Have it All' this summer, after winning a Food Basics contest that will send her and her father Dan on the trip of a lifetime. The grocery chain is rewarding some lucky Ontario shoppers as part of its Canada 150 celebrations, by helping make dreams come true.
Customers were asked to give their response to the question "If you won free groceries for an entire year, what would you do with the savings?'
Waylett responded by describing her father as 'the hardest worker she has ever known, always putting the needs of his family before his own.' She said he watched over the family when her mother was ill. For that reason, if she were to win the contest, she promised to take the money she would have spent on groceries, and use it to take her dad on a once in a lifetime vacation.
Waylett went on to win the contest.
The discount food chain initially informed her that she had won a $250 in-store shopping spree, asking her to claim her prize Thursday morning.
Waylett's father, who lives in Huntsville, made the drive to North Bay to watch her accept her winnings, not knowing something bigger was in the works. With Dan in tow, Jasmine went up and down the aisles filling her shopping cart, but as she rounded a corner, she stopped dead in her tracks at the sight in front of her.
Store manager Jesse Grimes says when the pair saw the group of staff and media who were waiting for them, as well as the large cheque with Jasime's name on it, they became emotional.
"Neither of them knew she was winning the trip. They thought she had just won a shopping spree. Her initial reaction was 'wow.' They were stunned at first, thinking they were being pranked," said Grimes.
When reality set in, both were in tears with Waylett expressing her thanks to everyone, saying it meant the world to them, noting she had never won anything before this contest.
"We've given them a cheque for $4,500 and they get to go anywhere they want, but it has to be spent on a vacation. They're pretty sure they're going to New Zealand," said Grimes. "And we increased her gift card to $500 once they got here."
Grimes says it was equally emotional for the staff, seeing the sheer joy on their faces. They were moved after hearing Jasmine talk about how much her father means to her, and how much they're looking forward to experiencing a trip of a lifetime together.