“We’re going on a trip next week!”: a 35-year-old Drummondville resident wins $1 million at the Célébration gala

A Celebration ticket received at Christmas transformed the life of a 35-year-old Drummondville resident who won a million dollars on Sunday evening during the televised gala which took place at the Hôtel-Casino du Lac-Leamy, in Gatineau.

Roxanne Zengarli jumped for joy on stage when her number came out of the abacus and is already planning to go on a trip next week.

“Well, let’s see, all that isn’t serious! We’re going on a trip next week,” exclaimed the Drummondvilloise on stage, in an interview with the QMI Agency, a few seconds after winning the grand prize.

The winner and her partner, Steeven Daudelin, struggled to realize the magnitude of the gain. “We didn’t have any expectations, we arrived here and we didn’t even know what we could win. Already $25,000 was huge for me. I’m almost doing this in a year. I’m exaggerating, but it’s huge,” said the woman who works in administration at the CIUSSS de la Mauricie.

Despite this significant gain, Ms. Zengarli does not plan to leave her job. “I can’t stop working, but maybe I will have the opportunity to choose my days more,” she hopes.

“I feel like I’m going to do great things with this, I have a lot of projects. I will take care of it. We’re going to sit down before making any decisions,” said the new millionaire.

Véronic DiCaire, Gregory Charles and Sébastien Benoit hosted this 36th Célébration gala broadcast on TVA.

Prominent figures of Quebec music were also there, including Patrick Norman, France D’Amour, Louis-Jean Cormier, Sara Dufour, K.Maro, Kim Richardson, Éléonore Lagacé, Rafaëlle Roy and DM Nation.

$50,000 for a cause close to his heart

In addition to the million, the Drummondvilloise obtained a prize of $50,000 as part of the “We win by giving back” program. The same amount will therefore be paid by Loto-Québec to the Drummond Food Comptoir. “I really wanted to win this prize, because it has already been a resource for me. A resource that helps many families in need in Drummondville,” she confides.

Dream weekend for finalists

The celebrations didn’t just take place on Sunday for the 45 finalists who had secured their place at the gala by scratching three televisions on their ticket. They were also entitled to royal treatment throughout the weekend.

“We are treated like kings and queens. The food, the activities, the people we meet are super awesome,” said Audrey Rousseau from the Capitale-Nationale.

Arrival by limousine, show, massage and accommodation at the Hôtel-Casino du Lac-Leamy were on the program. “We had children’s leave, it’s good for mom and dad,” exclaims David Sénéchal-Fortin. We let ourselves be spoiled! We are fed, we have a driver, we get a massage,” says the teacher from Montreal.