Canadian winner of $15-million Lotto Max prize wants to donate anonymously
A Lotto Max jackpot winner is spreading his good fortune after a multimillion-dollar win, all while keeping his identity a secret.
Gary Westhaver, a resident of St. Margarets, N.B., and a retired employee of the City of Miramichi, has been playing Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 tickets for as long as he can remember, but has never won a big prize. That is, until recently.
One day, he purchased his usual Lotto Max ticket and scanned it after the draw. When he checked it using the mobile app, the words “Major win” flashed on the screen. Unsure of just how much he had won, he decided to call Atlantic Lottery for confirmation, and that’s when he heard the life-changing news.
“When I was told it was $15 million, I’m going to tell you, my stomach started to turn and my head started going,” Westhaver said with a laugh. “I wasn’t positive. I don’t even know if I will be when I look at my bank account and they tell me there’s $15 million in there.”
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He had won the $15-million jackpot in the Lotto Max draw that took place on Tuesday, Sept. 30. He said that his wife was just as shocked about his big win. The couple managed to keep it a secret until just minutes before Westhaver claimed his cheque.
Having always been active in his community, Westhaver says he’s now eager to give back in a bigger way by helping charities that mean the most to him.
“Everybody needs, at times in their life, a bit of help. This is what we’re going to do,” he said. “Any money we donate or give to anybody is going to be anonymous. I don’t need a pat on the back for helping somebody.”
He added that he wants to support their two grandchildren and maybe buy a new house in the same area they call home. Despite his major jackpot win, he said it won’t change how he and his wife live their lives.
“We just want to stay what we are, our lives can’t change,” he said. “We have fun whatever we do. Laughter and humour are, I think, the most important things in anybody’s life.”
The winning Lotto Max ticket was purchased at Deals 4 U in Miramichi, N.B. The retailer will receive a one per cent seller’s prize.
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