Emmanouel and Stavroula Savvaidis are enjoying an early Christmas gift this year after winning $500,000 playing the Extra from the November 5 Lotto Max draw, which was valued at nearly $35 million.
According to a media release from BC Lottery Corporation, the qathet region couple purchased the ticket at the Chevron Town Pantry on Joyce Avenue and checked it later on at Save-On-Foods.
“I was shaking and filled with excitement – I couldn’t believe it,” stated Stavroula.
“I couldn't read what I had won because I was so excited,” stated Emmanouel.
After they recovered from their momentary shock, they phoned their son and daughter who were immediately “very happy” for them.
The Savvaidis’s plan to share some of their prize with their immediate family and start planning a trip overseas.
“We would love to take a trip back home to Greece to visit our family,” stated Stavroula.
So far in 2021, BC lottery players have redeemed more than $38 million in prize-winning Extra tickets and more than $254 million from Lotto Max, according to the release.