In an incredible stroke of luck, Anna Pelka, a dedicated health-care worker from Stoney Creek, Ontario, is now the fortunate winner of a $20-million Lotto Max jackpot. The life-changing win, which was drawn on December 20, 2024, was officially confirmed by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) on Wednesday.
Pelka, who has been an avid lottery player for the past seven years, had no idea that her routine stop for gas would turn into the moment that would forever alter the course of her life. While heading home from work, she purchased a Lotto Max Quick Pick ticket at the Petro-Canada on Mud Street West. What followed next can only be described as a whirlwind of shock and excitement.
After filling up her tank, Pelka took a few seconds to scan her ticket at the store’s ticket checker. What happened next left her breathless: the machine’s message instructed her to “see the retailer.” It was in that instant that Pelka realized something extraordinary had occurred.
“I was shaking like a leaf, feeling hot, and suddenly very thirsty,” Pelka shared in a statement. “I brought my ticket to the store clerk, and from that moment, everything became a blur. The clerk was so kind and even brought me a bottle of water. It felt surreal—it was like something out of a dream.”
As Pelka tried to process the monumental news, her next challenge was telling her husband. Initially, he was skeptical about the enormous win. However, the reality soon sank in, and both were overjoyed to discover that their newfound wealth would not only secure their financial future but also ensure a bright path ahead for their children, especially in terms of education.
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“This win means that our children’s futures and their education are now fully taken care of,” Pelka said. “It’s such a relief to know that we can give them the opportunities they deserve.”
The Pelka family’s good fortune is part of a long list of Lotto Max wins in Ontario. Since 2009, more than $9 billion has been awarded to Ontario players, including 113 jackpot wins and 937 Maxmillions prizes, according to OLG’s records.
Pelka’s story is a testament to the power of hope, a touch of serendipity, and the belief that life can change in an instant. What started as a simple gas station stop turned into a legacy-building jackpot for a family in Stoney Creek—one that will echo for generations to come.
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