VILNA - A ticket purchased at Vilna Family Grocery has won a man $697,169.
Phillip Hofer, who is a Vilna local, won after purchasing a Lightning Lotto ticket, according to information from Western Canada Lottery Corporation.
“It just lit up the screen,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it."
Hofer admits the win stopped him in his tracks.
“The ‘winner’ notification came up and I froze,” he said. “Then I grabbed the ticket and bolted. I drove right to my buddy’s house to tell him."
Hofer plans to use his winnings to travel - and top up his retirement fund.
“I want to top-up my retirement and then take a trip to Vietnam or Palm Springs,” he said. “I have travelled the world with work, but Vietnam is one place I have not been.”
He also wants to help a friend with a few things around his acreage, he says.
Hofer won his Lightning Lotto prize instantly by matching the five numbers selected on the December 9 draw: 3, 4, 23, 37, 46.
