Cash split winner donation helps fundraiser top $10K for COPE
December 23, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Some spouses might complain when they discover their significant other spending money on lottery tickets. Mike Daigle’s wife encouraged him to buy more.
And the decision paid off, as the Fort Erie barber won this year’s COPE Christmas Cash Split, taking home just over $7,500 as part of the 50/50 draw that raised an equal amount for the Fort Erie food bank.
However, COPE (Community Outreach Program Erie) will end up bringing in an even $10,000 through the fundraiser, as Daigle opted to donate $2,460 of his winnings back to the agency.
Members of the Fort Erie Radio broadcast team hand over a cheque for $7,540 to Mike Daigle as part of the 2025 COPE Christmas Cash Split. Brent Jones, left, Jack Sutherland, Daigle, Steve Simkus, and Brenda Tyrrell. Credit: Luke Edwards | Fort Erie Radio“My wife grew up in a single family household,” Daigle told Fort Erie Radio on Monday, adding that when times were tough, COPE was there to help her family out, allowing the family to have a Christmas meal or otherwise providing assistance.
“Those things are important,” he said.
So when she found out he’d bought a few tickets for the draw, Daigle said she encouraged him to buy more, knowing that it was going to a worthy cause.
He never expected to win the jackpot and was thrilled when he got the call from the morning show team on Fort Erie Radio, who helped present the holiday fundraiser.
“I finally got lucky,” Daigle joked on air as Brent Jones let him know that he’d won.
Daigle has played other lotteries in the past, but said he’s never won anything like this.
Daigle, who runs Mike’s Hair Studio out of his home on Bowen Road, said he plans to use the winnings to pay some bills. He also has big dogs who go through plenty of food, but figured taking home more than $5,000 was enough and didn’t hesitate to donate the rest back to COPE.
After collecting his winnings on Monday, Daigle visited COPE on Dufferin Street to present the food bank with a donation of $2,460 of his winnings. Credit: Gary Hass“Once again we have someone kind and generous enough to give something back,” said Fort Erie Radio morning show co-host Brenda Tyrrell as they announced the winner on air, referencing last year’s winner who also donated his winnings back to the food bank.
Jones thanked the Fort Erie community and everyone who supported the cash split for making it another successful fundraiser.
“This whole crew pulled together to make it happen,” he told Fort Erie Radio listeners.
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About The Author
Luke Edwards
Luke Edwards is a longtime Niagara community journalist who has covered a variety of beats, including business, agriculture, the wine industry and politics. When not writing, there's a good chance he can be found at a baseball diamond or curling rink.
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