Gerry and Helen Phillips are
grandparents to share their $26 million to their children and grandchildren.
They started to play Lotto in the 1970’s and a little less than 50 years since
playing, they finally hit the jackpot that will secure their future and even
their grandchildren’s. They got all seven numbers from the August 6, 2019 draw:
19, 22, 28, 30, 36, 38, 39.
Another story of winning prize
which had been used to buy another ticket that gave millions back. Gerry almost
did not buy the winning ticket because the jackpot prize was not $50 million.
Nevertheless, he opted to get a lucky pick after winning 2 free plays on
another ticket. Gerry bought the winning ticket at the Shoppers Drug Mart on
First Avenue in St. Thomas after his wife sent him out to buy milk and bread for
their grandkids. He let the computer pick the numbers. When he looked at it, he
didn’t like his chances — he usually played family birthdays. “There’s no way I
would have picked that,” he said. “It’s all luck, there’s no skill involved.”
Gerry went out for breakfast with
some of his grandchildren and passed by an OLG ticket checker, so he was
reminded to check the ticket. When he saw the winnings on the checker, he
thought he won $260,000. He double checked the ticket on his table when he got
home and showed it to his wife. The couple were very ecstatic seeing
‘Congratulations, 26 million dollars!”
Helen was thankful thinking that
their future, retirement and children, and everything else were going to be
okay. They do not know exactly know what to do with their winnings. They will
take 6 months to plan with the help of advisers and they will have a bucket
list. Some of the plans they have are taking a cruise on February of next year,
starting a foundation in honor of their dead son, David who was tragically
taken from them after getting hit by a drunk driver 20 years ago, Helen
retiring as a nurse, Gerry adding and updating his workshop, renovating their
house, and best of all is securing their grandchildren’s education.
“Family is always a big priority
in our life for us. Of course, we’ll be sharing it,” Helen said.