Gary Ouellette has spent a lifetime helping others through non-profit organizations.
A charitable foundation returned the favour this week.
The Whitchurch-Stouffville resident is $1 million richer as one of three grand prize winners in the Heart and Stroke Lottery.
Heart and Stroke officials, including council president John Taylor and area manager Maureen O’Leary, made the presentation in Newmarket Tuesday.
Mr. Ouellette has been the director of Shadow Lake Centre for 30 years. He has two sons and a daughter.
Located next to Musselman’s Lake, the 300-acre centre is operated by Community Living Toronto, which works with people with intellectual disabilities.
Mr. Ouellette has also worked for the Salvation Army Children’s Village and the Ministry of Culture and Recreation.
The Heart and Stroke lottery program has raised more than $133 million to support research projects in communities across Ontario.