Mill Bay Retirees Celebrate $1 Million Scratch Ticket Win

Retirees from Mill Bay, British Columbia, Kenneth and Michele Babich, are planning to enhance their quality of life and support charitable causes after winning a substantial prize of $1 million from a Scratch & Win lottery ticket. The couple purchased the winning ticket earlier this month at Thrifty Foods located on Mill Bay Road.

Michele shared the excitement of their discovery. “We were at home, and I scratched the ticket,” she said. After checking the results on the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) Lotto! App, she showed the ticket to Kenneth. Initially, he mistook the prize amount for $50 due to the “50x” notation. “Then I realized it was $1 million!” he exclaimed.

The Babich couple chose to keep their good fortune a secret from their children until they had officially claimed the prize. They had already arranged a cruise prior to their win, but now view it as a celebratory trip rather than just a vacation.

Michele Babich expressed how the newfound wealth will not only improve their lifestyle but also allow them to contribute more to the community. “It’s going to help us give back more to the causes we are passionate about,” she stated. Kenneth echoed her sentiments, highlighting the positive impact of lottery revenues on local communities. “One reason we like to play and what we appreciate about the lottery is all the different ways that the community benefits from the money generated from lotteries,” he said.

The Babich’s win is part of a larger trend this year, as players in British Columbia have redeemed over $109 million in prize-winning Scratch & Win tickets. This significant amount underscores the impact of lottery participation on both individual lives and community initiatives across the province.

As the couple prepares for their cruise and plans for charitable contributions, their story serves as a reminder of the unexpected joys that come with a lottery win and the potential for positive change it brings.