A routine check of her lottery tickets turned into a life-changing moment for Lucinda Themelis of East Gwillimbury after she won a $216,083.90 second prize in the June 27 Lotto Max draw. “I checked my tickets using the OLG app and saw the ‘Big Winner’ message on the screen. It was so shocking. I thought to myself, ‘No, no, no, no, no — this can’t be right.’” Themelis said during a visit to the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto. The administrative assistant had purchased the winning ticket at Gateway Newstand on Front Street West in Toronto. Themelis said she won using OLG’s Quick Pick feature. After confirming her win with a family member, Themelis said she was overcome with emotion. “When they confirmed it was real, I was filled with happiness and excitement. The gratitude was overwhelming. As the news settled in, I cried happy tears and started laughing. Then I shared a big hug with my family.” Themelis plans to use her winnings to become debt-free, invest for the future, and take care of her beloved family pet after an unexpected vet visit. She’s also looking forward to treating her mom to a long-awaited trip. “It feels amazing to be able to make her travel dreams come true,” she said. “I feel so fortunate that a big win like this has come my way. This is an incredible blessing, and I am so thankful,” Themelis added. The Lotto Max draw takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays, with tickets priced at $5 per play.
