Health-care worker and mother Anna Pelka of Stoney Creek said she was “shaking like a leaf” after finding out she had won $20 million in the Lotto Max jackpot in the Dec. 20 draw.
Pelka has been playing the lottery with OLG for the last seven years, but this was her first big win.
“I was on my way home from work when I stopped to get gas,” she told OLG. “Before heading to the cash register to pay, I decided to check my Lotto Max ticket on the ticket checker. When I did, a message appeared on the screen advising me to see the retailer.”
That’s when the tremors started.
“Shaking like a leaf, feeling hot and suddenly thirsty, I brought my ticket to the store clerk,” she told OLG.
“From that moment on, everything became a bit of a blur. The clerk was so kind and brought me a bottle of water. It was a surreal and crazy moment.”
Then there was the trip home to tell her husband.
“I went straight home and took a shower while I waited for my husband to arrive,” she told OLG.
“When he got home, I told him what had happened and how much I’d won, but he didn’t believe me. He wanted to compare the winning Lotto Max numbers to the ones I’d played on my ticket. We matched each number, shared a hug and cried happy tears. As we embraced, we talked about what this win means for us and our family.”
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For starters, a good education for their children.
“I’ve always hoped for a win like this and somehow it happened – it’s so unreal and absolutely life changing,” she told OLG.
“As a parent, it brings me peace of mind. It feels good to know that my children will be taken care of and can pursue the education of their dreams. It’s amazing to be able to provide this for them.”
The winning ticket was bought at a Petro-Canada station on Mud St. W. in Stoney Creek.