Windsor Couple Celebrates $1 Million Lottery Win After Years of Playing
Residents of Windsor, Ontario, Doreen and Albert Drouillard, have officially joined the ranks of lottery millionaires following a life-changing win. The married couple successfully claimed a substantial $1-million prize from a Maxmillions Lotto Max ticket drawn on December 19th, marking a significant milestone in their lives.
A Christmas Day Discovery That Changed Everything
The extraordinary moment of realization occurred on Christmas Day when Doreen visited a local convenience store to check their lottery ticket. "I went to a local convenience store on Christmas Day to check our ticket," Doreen explained to Ontario Lottery and Gaming officials during the prize claim process in Toronto. "That's when the 'Big Winner' message flashed on the screen with all the zeros."
Overwhelmed by the unexpected revelation, Doreen recounted how she "checked the ticket a few more times and began shaking with excitement." She immediately returned to the car to share the incredible news with her husband Albert, announcing they had won $1 million.
Years of Patience Finally Pay Off
The Drouillards revealed they have been playing the lottery together consistently for eight and a half years, demonstrating remarkable persistence that ultimately led to their substantial windfall. Albert admitted to initial skepticism about their good fortune, stating "I didn't believe her at first." He took the prudent step of verifying the winning numbers on the official OLG website before allowing himself to accept the reality of their situation.
Once the validation process confirmed their win, the couple shared their exciting news with Albert's brother and sister-in-law, showing them photographic evidence of the validation slip. "At first, they didn't believe us either but as we told them more their disbelief melted into excitement," Albert recalled. "They were happy for us."
Future Plans for Their Newfound Wealth
With their financial circumstances dramatically transformed, the Drouillards have already begun planning how to utilize their winnings. Their immediate priorities include:
- Purchasing a condominium for their residence
- Acquiring a new truck for transportation
- Sharing portions of their winnings with their grandchildren
The winning ticket that changed their lives was purchased at the CNIB kiosk located within the Walmart store on Tecumseh Road in Windsor. This fortunate purchase has now positioned the Drouillards as Windsor's newest lottery millionaires, joining a select group of individuals who have experienced similar life-altering moments through Ontario's lottery system.
