Dare to dream: $60 million LOTTO MAX jackpot winner from Mississauga committed to children's causes

"MY GOOD FORTUNE WILL GO A LONG WAY TO HELPING OTHERS"

TORONTO, Feb. 24, 2016 /CNW/ - It was the Christmas surprise of a lifetime for John Henry of Mississauga who won the $60 million jackpot in the December 25, 2015 LOTTO MAX draw.

John, a married father and grandfather, is originally from Copper Cliff in the Sudbury area, and calls himself a "good ol' northern Ontario boy" who never thought he would actually win. "I play because it's fun to check the numbers," he admitted, while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto where he picked up his windfall.

The day after the draw - Boxing Day, John went for his usual morning walk, returned home and started to check his numbers on the OLG website. "LOTTO MAX is the only lottery I play and when the jackpot gets big, I buy a few extra tickets. My numbers are always quick picks," he said. One by one, John matched the numbers online with the numbers on his ticket. "I circled every single one then blurted out a few choice words that I won't repeat," he laughed.

But the holiday weekend proved to be a problem. "I had the winning $60 million ticket but all the banks were closed so I couldn't put it into my safety deposit box until the following Tuesday! The darn thing felt like a hot potato," joked John.

It's been two months since the Christmas Day draw but John said he and his family needed the time to get their affairs in order and make plans for the future. "There are certain causes my wife and I believe in and are happy to support including children's health, children's sports and mental health initiatives," he noted.

John loves the life he has and says his new-found wealth won't change that. But he is open to the idea of a fun adventure or two. "I've always wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby," he smiled.

Since its launch in September 2009, Ontario LOTTO MAX players have won over $2.9 billion, including 44 jackpot wins and 306 MAXMILLIONS prizes, right across the province.

The winning ticket was purchased at R & R Newstand in Westdale Mall on Dundas Street West in Mississauga.

OLG is a provincial agency responsible for gaming facilities, the sale of province-wide lottery games, the PlayOLG Internet gaming website and the delivery of bingo and other electronic gaming products at Charitable Gaming Centres across the province. Since 1975, OLG has provided nearly $42 billion to the Province and the people of Ontario. OLG's annual payments to the province have helped support the operation of hospitals; prevention, treatment and research of problem gambling; amateur sport through the Quest for Gold program; and local and provincial charities. OLG was a Premier Sponsor of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am / Parapan Am Games.

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SOURCE OLG Winners

Image with caption: "OLG's Vice President of Lottery Marketing and Sales Wendy Montgomery presents Mississauga resident John Henry with a cheque for $60,000,000 at the OLG Prize Centre Wednesday. John won the December 25, 2015 LOTTO MAX jackpot. (CNW Group/OLG Winners)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160224_C3274_PHOTO_EN_628360.jpg

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