We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Jasmine, the lucky winner of the 2025 Federated Health Charities Grand Prize Lottery. With $15,000 now in her pocket, Jasmine shared the whirlwind of emotions, a few serendipitous moments, and the deeper meaning behind her win.
“I don’t usually buy lottery tickets…”
That’s how Jasmine began her story. “But when I got the email about the lottery, something just kept nagging at me—‘Do it. Do it. Do it.’” So, she did. She threw her name in the hat with a $25 purchase for five tickets. What followed was a series of small, strange signs that maybe—just maybe—this was meant to be.
She remembers the exact day she got the lottery’s early bird draw email—April 3rd. “I don’t know why, but I looked into it. Something was just telling me to go for it.”
A Comedy of Errors… and a Big Surprise
The day of the prize announcement was anything but smooth. Jasmine was on her lunch break, trying to poach eggs, when she realized she didn’t have the right link to join the wrap-up event. “I was running around like a headless chicken,” she laughed. After 15 minutes of clicking through the internet and hopping into the wrong meeting, someone finally shared the correct link.
“I was thinking, ‘Why am I working so hard to join this meeting? It’s not like I’m going to win.’” But then… they called her name.
“I was absolutely baffled. The water was boiling over, my eggs were a mess, and I just stood there in shock. It was a really, really cool moment. Honestly, it felt like the universe’s engagement present to me.”
A New Chapter
Jasmine recently got engaged in June 2025, and the timing of the win couldn’t have been better. “I didn’t even tell my fiancé I bought tickets. When I told him I won $15,000, it took two minutes to convince him it was real!”
The couple recently bought a condo and are slowly renovating it. “We just bought a couch during a Canada Day sale,” she said. “The money will probably go toward that or the wedding. I don’t want it to disappear on random things. We’re also planning a little trip this winter—nothing extravagant, just something warm and relaxing.”
A Heart for Giving Back
Before joining the Ontario Public Service (OPS) Jasmine worked in marketing for charities—something that left a lasting impression. “There are so many causes close to my heart. The work the 21 Federated Health Charities do is incredible, and you really see how donations make a difference.”
She also shared a personal connection to giving: “Growing up, my parents fostered children in other countries. One of them even had the same birthday as me. We’d get monthly reports showing how the money was helping real kids and families. It made it all very real.”
A Proud Francophone and OPS Champion
Jasmine has been with the OPS for nearly four years, starting at the Archives of Ontario and now working with the Ministry of Infrastructure. “I love my work, my team, and the OPS. It’s not just about the job—it’s the people. They’re so nice, friendly, and competent.”
She’s also a proud Francophone, having attended a full French school and completed her psychology degree in French, together with a minor in Spanish. “Learn French if you can,” she encouraged. “It’s a beautiful language with so many intricacies.”
Fun, Food, and Fundraising
One of Jasmine’s favorite things about the Federated Health Charities’ fundraising culture? The fun! “Whether it’s samosa sales (I’ll never lose weight during campaign season!) or the Survivor competition our ministry held, the events are always fun. You don’t just feel good for donating—you feel good because you’re having fun with your coworkers. That’s part of a healthy work culture.”
Congratulations again, Jasmine! Your story is a reminder that sometimes, listening to your gut—and a little bit of luck—can lead to something truly special.
