When the number on Laurie's card was called, and she realized she'd won a 1.14 carat diamond worth $15,000, she didn't know what to do.
"She looked over at me and said, 'What should I do, I can't go up there,' " said Teri Arychuk, a few minutes after Bembridge claimed her prize. "She's still in shock."
Four hundred Yellowknifers put on their fanciest duds and partied the night away, all for a good cause last weekend.
The fifth annual Children's Wish Foundation fundraising gala raised a whopping $62,000.
"We well exceeded what we've done before," said Arychuk, who coordinated the event.
"This was huge, it was just huge."
Last year's gala raised $45,000. The money goes toward making wishes come true for children suffering from life-threatening illnesses, whether it's a new computer or a trip to Disney World.
Other winners included Adrian Amirault, who won a seven-day Caribbean cruise from Top of the World and Canadian North.
Joanne McGrath won a trip for two to Bathurst Inlet Lodge and Robert Hawkins won a trip for two to Blatchford Lake Lodge.
"It was a fantastic evening," said Arychuk.
Arychuk said an exact tally of funds raised would be included in a thank you advertisement that will run next week in Yellowknifer.