A group of colleagues from Lunenburg, N.S. known as the Happy Campers are $500,000 richer, thanks to their Maxmillions win from the May 9, 2025 Lotto Max draw. The prize will be shared among the group’s five members: Angela Aulenback, Colton Briand, Sean Conrad, Donna Jack and Katie Lantz.

“I scanned our first ticket, not a winner, scanned the second, not a winner, scanned the third and it said, ‘major winner,’” Conrad said. “I went and checked online and all seven matched and I said, ‘Oh my goodness, we won half a million dollars.’”

Maxmillions are additional $1-million prizes that are drawn when the Lotto Max jackpot reaches $50 million. This Maxmillions prize was shared with a ticket sold in British Columbia with same numbers, splitting the $1-million prize equally.

Conrad was eager to share the news with his fellow group members, reaching out to each of them and sharing the news one by one.

“I get a text from Sean, and it was a picture of the Lotto Max ticket,” Aulenback said. “’How’s $100,000 more toward your retirement sound?’ he said.’”

Jack, who was the last to find out about their big win, woke up to text messages and missed calls from several group members urging her to respond so they could share the exciting news.

“We all pull for each other on a daily basis, you care about these people and want to see them succeed and get a leg up,” Jack said. “When an opportunity comes along that everybody in the group can get a leg up, it’s lifechanging.”

The group members work in varying roles for a local agricultural company. Plans for their prize money include investing, paying off debt, retirement savings and home renovations. Jack is excited to help her daughters pay off their student loans.

Conrad purchased the group’s winning Lotto Max ticket at Circle K in Lunenburg, N.S. The retailer will receive a one per cent seller’s prize.

“We are pretty much a family, we all lean on each other.” Briand said. “I do love these guys, I really do.”