TORONTO – A group of nine co-workers from a Guelph auto parts plant have picked up a $60-million cheque after winning the Dec. 21 Lotto Max jackpot.
“We’re a very close line – closer than any of the other lines,” said group leader Ala Hirmiz.
“We always talk and joke and celebrate each others’ birthdays. And now we get to celebrate this unbelievable win together.”
The group works the same line and the same shift at the Comtech plant in Guelph.
Some are married, some are single and they have 17 kids between them. Eight are immigrants, hailing from parts of the Middle East, South East Asia and Africa, and they range in age from 21 to 57.
Most members had played the lottery casually or regularly on their own, but some of the members started to play together in the last two months when the Lotto Max jackpot hit $60 million.
“I almost didn’t hand over my $5 when it was time to buy our ticket,” said group member Mercedes Granadino.
“But I had this sixth sense, like some spirit sitting on my shoulder telling me to play!”
For Mussie Kelete and Ella Nicole Cabrera, it was their first time joining the group play.
Fernando Meneses was the first to find out about their big win.
“Mercedes called me very early on Saturday morning – I was still sleeping!” said Fernando. “She said she heard on the radio that a winning ticket was sold in Guelph and urged me to check our ticket.”
Fernando scanned it on the OLG Lottery App to discover that they held the $60 million winning ticket. Slowly news of something going on started to spread among the group but not all members knew the details.
Fernando asked everyone to meet on Sunday morning to officially announce the good news.
“When a team meeting was called on a Sunday, I was curious. I was so very glad that the meeting didn’t end up being about work,” said Steven Rush with a laugh. “My mind was blown. It’s just so overwhelming.”
In addition to new vehicles, new homes and family vacations to Disneyland, time to relax is also on their minds.
“I’ve been in Canada for less than a year and so far I’ve only known work – I’m excited to explore the country,” shared Bassam Abdi.
As for their current jobs, most will slowly retire from the factory and upgrade their education or look to other opportunities.
Tariku Birru has always dreamed of opening an Ethiopian restaurant and Sampath Pathiraja Mudiyansel will be investing in his home country.
“I plan on buying a coconut plantation in Sri Lanka,” he said with a smile.
“We are so blessed, happy and thankful,” concluded Ala.
The group members are: Ala Hirmiz of Kitchener, Fernando Meneses of Guelph, Bassam Abdi of Kitchener, Ella Nicole Cabrera of Guelph, Mercedes Granadino of Guelph, Mussie Kelete of Guelph, Sampath Pathiraja Mudiyansel of Guelph, Steven Rush of Guelph and Tariku Birru of Guelph.
The winning ticket was purchased at Little Short Stop Store on Silvercreek Parkway in Guelph.
