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INUVIK - Lillias Mitchener won a brand new truck last week after winning the jackpot in the youth centre's bingo.

When asked what she planned on doing with the newly-acquired Ford F-150, she said she planned on selling it.

Jackpot winner Lillias Mitchener and Vince Sharpe stand in front of the truck that was won by Mitchener during last Friday night's bingo. Sharpe donated the truck to the Inuvik Youth Centre for their program needs. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photos

"I just bought a new vehicle," she said.

Vince Sharpe, who donated the prize, joked and said she shouldn't sell the truck, she should sell her other vehicle instead.

"Come on, this is a Ford," he said with a laugh.

They shared a laugh before warming up the truck for Mitchener to take home.

The bingo was held on Friday night, with people lining up all day to get cards for the jackpot prize.

It was the first time a TV bingo had an item as a prize.

When asked why he donated a brand new truck to the youth centre, Sharpe had a quick reply.

"It's Christmas," he said.

Sharpe bought the truck two weeks ago from Whitehorse Motors.

"The (bingo) money is going to youth programs at the centre," said Sharpe.

"That is what I wanted to donate to, the programs."

Aside from buying the top prize, Sharpe spent Friday night counting money with the youth centre staff at the bingo office.

Sharpe said making the donation was an easy choice.

"The children are our future. That's what it's all about," he said.

In the last year, Sharpe has donated $10,000 to a group of youth going to Germany, helped the Ingamo Hall youth group attend a conference in Edmonton with $7,000 and erected a baseball diamond last summer.

"It's all about keeping the youth active and involved in the community," said Sharpe.

He said the lineups for the bingo were out the door, with people waiting all day for their chance at the big prize.

Youth centre program co-ordinator Jimmy Ruttan was also at the bingo office all day Friday, selling cards and preparing for the event.

"It was amazing," said Ruttan. "This was a first for both the youth centre and New North Networks. They've never had a bingo where the grand prize was a material object."

In the event of a tie, a consolation prize of $5,000 was donated by Kurt Wainman.

Ruttan said the jackpot was expected to be won by two people, ending in a special game as a tie-breaker.

"It didn't happen," he said. "We only had the one winner."

The $5,000 was added to the proceeds for the youth centre.

"We thank Kurt very much for his donation," said Ruttan.

Ruttan said the money raised is going towards a sports program, existing programming and the eventual move of the centre, along with renovations.

"We're really excited and we're going to do good with it that's for sure," he said.

Ruttan said the hype at the centre was building as the date for the bingo got closer.

"We were all excited, getting the posters out and preparing for the big night," he said.

He said people were calling the centre from the surrounding communities, trying to get information about the game.

"It was amazing. We got calls from Fort McPherson and Aklavik, asking about the game," he said.