A large group of coworkers won the lottery together!
27 people who work at McMaster University will now share $500,000 after winning in the February 16th LOTTO MAX draw. They’ve been playing together for seven years now. During that time, their group has continued to grow.
Here’s everyone who won:
- Diane Potvin of Hamilton
- Andrea Cole of Hamilton
- Antonella Masciantonio of Oakville
- Catherine Maybrey of Hamilton
- Christina Bryce of Hamilton
- Correen Mascotto-Carbone of Hamilton
- Deborah Randall-Baldry of Hamilton
- Ding Lu of Burlington
- Douglas Welch of Dundas
- Frank Coruzzi of Hamilton
- Jessica Dorsch of Hamilton
- Judith Pattison of Stoney Creek
- Karen Tsang of Hamilton
- Lara Santosuosso of Ancaster
- Laura Side of Stoney Creek
- Leslie Brandreth of Burlington
- Lorna Thomas of Hamilton
- Nadine Pielaszek of Hamilton
- Nanci Cole of Burlington
- Natalie Taylor of Oakville
- Radmila Cucuz of Stoney Creek
- Shelby Pinciaro of Binbrook
- Stephanie Baschiera of Hamilton
- Steve Hranilovic of Oakville
- Teresa Ferko of Hamilton
- Vanessa Hayward of Stoney Creek
- Yu Zheng of Hamilton
Diane Potvin celebrated with her coworkers while collecting their winnings at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto.
“I was working from home when I decided to check our tickets,” she says. “I was on the phone with my coworker when I realized we had won big. I kept saying, ‘OMG!’ Of course, she kept asking me what was wrong and what happened. I was left speechless!”
Frank Coruzzi and Radmila Cucuz were working from home that day.
“I was checking my emails when I saw one from Diane about our win,” says Coruzzi. “I immediately texted some of my coworkers, telling them to check their email. I had to call my boss and take the rest of the day off. I was bursting with excitement.”
“I honestly thought it was a prank,” adds Cucuz. “We are such an amazing group. I am so happy to share this win with everyone.”
News of their win also reached Lorna Thomas, who was on vacation at the time. “I got a call from my coworker and she broke the news. I screamed at the top of my lungs. It was crazy!”
If split evenly, $500,000 divided 27 ways will be roughly $18,500 per person. The group members’ plans for their windfall include paying bills, taking vacations and sharing with family.
The winning ticket was purchased at the Fortinos on Main Street in Hamilton.
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