FRIEND'S GIFT MEANS BIG WIN

A self-employed Pickering woman received a valuable gift from a friend.

Jade Jenkins, 21, won $100,000 by matching the six of seven numbers in the Encore portion of the Oct. 1 Lottario draw.

Jenkins has been playing for a year and this is her first big win.

"This ticket was a gift from my friend," she said. "I had this ticket for three months before I checked it. I finally brought it to the convenience store and scanned it. When I found out I was a big winner, I was shocked! I stared at the screen for a while trying to process what I was seeing," Jenkins said.

She went home to tell her mother about the big win.

"She was in shock too and congratulated me. I called my family friend who bought the ticket for me, and he was really happy too," Jenkins noted.

A self-employed entrepreneur, Jenkins said the lottery win will "open doors" and provide opportunities for her future. She plans to invest in her business and further her education.

"It feels crazy to even hear the words 'lottery winner.' This is life changing," Jenkins added.

The winning ticket was bought at Shoppers Drug Mart on Westney Road in Ajax.