When Jodi Otto, 45, woke to her phone ringing Thursday morning, the last thing she expected to hear was that she had won the lottery.
“I was in shock, to say the least,” she said, her voice hitching in excitement. “It’s still surreal.”
The St. Albert woman bought tickets for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation’s 50/50 Mighty Millions Lottery, not expecting she would be selected as the lucky winner. It’s the first time Otto has won a prize.
After picking up her $566,000 cheque from the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation Thursday afternoon, Otto drove to the bank and paid off her mortgage. She also paid off her vehicle and is now living debt-free.
“It’s a weird feeling that I have no debt,” she expressed. “It’s quite a financial relief.”
Otto said she decided to donate to the foundation because she has a special connection with the Stollery. Her 11-year-old son, Tyler Otto, had three surgeries removing growths from the knuckles in his finger when he was an infant.
The money came at a good time for Otto. She recently retired from the military and has been receiving financial support through Veterans Affairs Canada.
She has a part-time job as well, which helps with mortgage payments for the home she bought five years ago. Without the winnings, it would have taken another 25 years to pay off her house.
Through the lottery, Otto also received a $100 gift card to West Edmonton Mall.
Now that she’s won the cash, Otto plans on donating to local charities, giving some of her winnings to her family members and saving a portion for both her sons. She’s also planning a few vacations.
“I’m not sure where (the children) want to go,” she said, adding she would most likely be taking a vacation in Mexico with her boyfriend in the near future.
This is the largest Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation 50/50 lottery. This year, the jackpot was $1.12 million, with half of the prize going to Otto.
Other winners were: Teneesha Levy from Spruce Grove, who won the grand prize showhome and $100,000; Greg and Sue Runnalls from Fort McMurray, who won a Maserati and Maui early bird prize or $150,000; Murray Quinton from Viking, who won a choice between a 2019 Mastercraft NXT20 Wakeboard Boat and Trailer, Range Rover Sport or $115,000; Adam Huxley from Wainwright, who won a choice between a 2019 Jaguar F-Type Convertible, Audi Q7 Technik or $85,000; and Pauline Reid from Edson, who won a choice between a 2019 Ford Mustang GT Convertible, BMW xDrive Gran Coupé or $60,000.
For more information about the Mighty Millions Lottery, visit: https://mightymillionslottery.com/sold-out.
