Tavistock Couple Wins $50 Million From OLG

Friday, 26 March 2021 15:17

Chad and Christa Breyer of Tavistock are Ontario's newest millionaires.

TAVISTOCK - A couple from Tavistock are Ontario's newest Millionaires.

Chad and Christa Breyer won the $50 million dollar Lotto Max jackpot on March 16th. Chad Breyer says he is just thankful nobody stole his ticket.

“I bought the LOTTO MAX ticket on Sunday for the Tuesday, March 16 draw and put it in the cupholder of my car as I usually do, and went about my business – going to work or running errands – never locking my car. I even went out and bought a LOTTO 6/49 ticket for Saturday’s draw with the winning LOTTO MAX ticket still in my car!”

Christa bugged her husband to bring the ticket into the house so she could check the numbers. She was trembling when the app displayed $50,000,000. Chad, a 41 year old father of two sprinted out of his house to a nearby convenience store to have the ticket checked again. Chad says he didn't know what to do after that point.

“I was so excited I grabbed the ticket and the receipt and ran out of the store and went back home. I didn't know I had to stay to talk to the OLG representative who called the store a few moments later, but I eventually went back and spoke to OLG about the next steps in collecting this incredible prize.”

Christa, who is a 44-year-old shift supervisor in the food industry, says she and Chad are regular lottery players but they don't play solely for a chance to win the big jackpot. She says she plays because the money ultimately benefits the people of Ontario.

“I was told years ago that money from buying lottery tickets goes back to support hospitals, health care and OLG also gives back to communities – so why not buy a lottery ticket?”

The couple shared the news with family first. Chad says his dad's reaction was priceless.

“He told me it couldn't have happened to a better man. That I've worked hard all my life and now it’s paid off.”

Surprisingly, both Chad and Christa went to work the day after they discovered their win. Chad, who is in automotive repair and restoration, said they were both a distracted at work, but they knew they couldn't let their co-workers down by not showing up for work.

“I have a few projects that I need to finish first before I think of possibly retiring – I can't leave my boss and colleagues without completing my obligations first.”

The couple plans to spend the money on a new home with a big piece of property and a couple of new vehicles. They will also be donating some to charity and sharing with family members.

Christa can't wait to travel when it’s safe to do so and he knows exactly where she wants to go.

“I want to return to California. We went there for our honeymoon many years ago and have been saving airline loyalty points in the hopes of going back but now we can travel there in style!”

The winning ticket was purchased at the Canadian Tire Gas Bar on Ontario Street in Stratford.