‘I couldn’t believe it’: Cleveland woman wins 2024 St. Jude Dream Home

MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio (WJW) – It is one of the best days of the year here at FOX 8. After all, it’s not every day that you get to give away a whole house.

And what a house it is!

This brand new 2,400 square foot, three-bedroom home built by Skoda Construction in Mayfield Village is valued at more than $700,000.

The winner of the 2024 St. Jude Dream Home is Alice Keeney, of Cleveland.

“I was in bed when the phone rang this morning,” Alice said. “He didn’t say right away. He said he wanted to tell me something and I said, ‘are you telling me that I won the house?’ and he was very calm and he went, ‘yes, you won the house.’ I screamed, I screamed, I couldn’t believe it,” Alice said.

It was a call she never expected because for more than 10 years she’s always entered the dream house drawing, not because she hopes to win, but because she believes in the mission of St. Jude.

“I donate to St. Jude all year long. I believe in St. Jude and those children, yes I do,” Alice said.

This has not been a very easy year for Alice and her family.

Her husband has been ill, so for the first time in many years of supporting St. Jude, she wasn’t able to tour during this year’s open house.

But she was able to come by Wednesday, looking forward to getting a chance to see the place that she may call home.

Alice says she’s always loved the fun surrounding the dream house giveaway, but more importantly, all that money raised goes to helping children get better. It’s something that Alice says is even better than winning.

“My heart breaks for those children. My son is healthy and I don’t have any children in my family in that category and it breaks my heart. I’m so happy that the families go there and they don’t have to pay anything. Not all of them make it, but my heart breaks for those children and those families and thankfully I can help out in some small way,” Alice said.

Alice says that she has a big decision to make about whether or not she will keep the house and will talk things over with her family.

Alice says she’s just glad that the children at St. Jude will get what they need to get better.

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