In this OLG Winners series, we’re highlighting the real winning stories of everyday Ontarians who played the lottery. From paying it forward to making long-held dreams a reality, these winners show us what they’re doing with their new fortunes – and how one win can bring joy, hope and even a fresh start.

Trang’s life changed just before Lunar New Year, a time of joy and new beginnings in the Chinese cultural calendar.

As tradition dictates, Lunar New Year is a time to cleanse your home and spirit and attracting prosperity into your life. Those who celebrate give loved ones little red envelopes with money tucked inside – a bright symbol of luck, generosity and good fortune.

As the Year of the Snake approached, Trang’s gift of prosperity arrived in different packaging – in the form of an OLG lottery ticket.

Trang, who lives in Mississauga, Ont. and works at a construction company, teamed up with four coworkers to play the lottery together. The mom of two picked up a Quick Pick LOTTO MAX ticket from an OLG retailer in Etobicoke and carried on with her New Year celebrations.

When Trang heard the winning ticket had been sold, excitement bubbled up inside her. She needed to check her own ticket. She scanned the rows of numbers to see if any came close to the winning ones, and there it was: In the middle of all the rows, she found the matching set.

“I couldn’t believe it, so I doublechecked it on the OLG app,” she says. “When I saw [we had won] I was shocked.” She immediately took a screenshot and sent it to her coworkers in their group chat.

The group of five had won $60-million. Trang’s share of the jackpot was a life-changing $12-million.

As she tried to process the magnitude of what this meant for her and her family, her heart raced, leaving her hardly able to eat or sleep with excitement.

“I kept thinking of the words of wisdom shared with me by my elders. ‘Stay calm and find out what happens next,’” says Trang. “I stepped into my group leader role and focused on guiding my group members through the process. I would dream of a win like this, and when it happened, those calming techniques kept me grounded.”

Over time, she was able to mentally adjust to her good fortune and make plans for her winnings. First and foremost, Trang plans to buy a home that can comfortably hold her family of four and her parents.

“It’s the Canadian dream. I want to take care of my parents who made sacrifices for my quality of life, and it’s my time to take care of them, she says. “It has been a dream of mine since my parents relocated to Canada.”

Trang also wants to invest a portion of her winnings to ensure her family stays well taken care of.

What’s more, she plans to carry out Lunar New Year traditions year-round by helping to bring prosperity to others. “I [will be] tapping into my inner philanthropist and using some to make a difference,” she says.

For Trang, that winning ticket became the ultimate red envelope – one that not only brought luck and prosperity to her, but also to her family, friends and community, well beyond Lunar New Year.

“I have always said, ‘If you don’t play, you can’t win,” Trang adds.

Don’t miss your chance to celebrate the Lunar New Year with OLG. Get your tickets at OLG.ca or in-store today..