The early start to 2014 just got a lot better for 11 employees at the Home Hardware in Gibsons.
After saying 'yes' to the Extra, the group who has been in a lotto pool together for the past four years, matched four numbers to win the top prize of $500,000 in the Jan. 11 Lotto Max Extra draw. Each person will receive $45,455.
"Everyone is pretty excited. We're all kind of in disbelief," said Teresa Selbee-Baker in an interview with Coast Reporter on Tuesday morning, Jan. 14. "This is the first big win. We've won a few bucks here and there over the years, but this is a pretty big deal."
News of the windfall spread like wildfire last Saturday morning on Facebook and in local coffee shops and restaurants.
"Fred checked the ticket on the computer in the store," said Rick Dixon. "He stayed very calm, but a smile crept onto his face as he told us we'd finally won. It took a moment for us to realize what was going on and that he was serious."
The winning Extra ticket was an additional ticket the group decided to purchase over their usual buy, because the jackpot was so large. Their winning smiles indicate this move paid off.
"It was difficult to stay focused at work on Saturday," added Selbee-Baker. "Lots of customers were coming in, congratulating us, wishing us well, offering hugs. There was lots of excitement."
All 11 members of the group, which includes Annie Boorder, Alison Williams, Patricia Ross, Ashley Arsenault, Bob Brown, Brandon Schultz, Patricia Taylor, Fred Schultz, Bob Benner, Dixon and Selbee-Baker, are thrilled with their win. There's talk about spending the winnings on school or a holiday, but many think they'll sit on the money for a while and plan carefully.
The winning ticket was purchased at the lottery ticket centre at the Sunnycrest Mall in Gibsons.
