Welland woman wins $250K lottery ticket through Secret Santa gift exchange
Posted January 10, 2022 4:27 pm.
Last Updated January 10, 2022 5:02 pm.
Imagine winning a large sum of lottery cash through a Secret Santa gift exchange? That is one woman’s reality.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Cooperation (OLG) says Jennifer Lafleur of Welland, Ont. took home $250,000 after winning the top prize with “Instant Merry & Bright.”
LaFleur says the winning ticket was gifted to her through the holiday exchange.
“I got home from work to start my Christmas holidays and relaxed with a coffee and my ticket,” she explained to OLG as she picked up her winnings.
“I noticed I won on the second game — my heart started pounding! I thought it was going to come out of my chest.”
The Welland, Ont. native says she plans on putting some money towards her mortgage and her children’s education.
“I passed him [her husband] the ticket, and he asked if it was real, then gave me a big hug. My heart is filled with pure joy,” LaFleur continued. “I’d also like to invest and save some for a family vacation — I have lots of decisions to make.”
Last week the OLG announced that all casinos and charitable gaming centres in Ontario would be temporarily closed as the province re-enters Step 2 of its reopening plan in a bid to stem the tide of Omicron.
