VIDEO: Karma? $48M lottery winner was a generous child

Not surprisingly, the story of Juliette Lamour’s wild stroke of luck has spread across the globe.

The 18-year-old Ontario university student recently came forward to claim one of the largest jackpots in Lotto 6/49 history — on the first lottery ticket she ever purchased.

But there’s something else that makes the story even more amazing: Years before she won her $48-million prize, Lamour and her younger sister made the local news in Sault Ste. Marie for a childhood act of charity. They emptied their joint piggy bank — all $61.38 — to help with relief efforts in earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

Thirteen years later, Lamour struck it rich.

In an exclusive interview with Inside the Village, a news podcast produced by Village Media, Lamour was asked about that generous donation she made when she was five years old. Is the universe somehow rewarding you now for your childhood act of kindness?

“I can’t explain it,” she replied. “But the thing that we’ve heard the most — again, with all the positive messages — people just keep telling us: ‘Good things happen to good people. Everything happens for a reason.’ I never believed that before but I’m starting to believe that now. There is just no explanation for something like this to happen.”

She’s right. Some things simply defy explanation.

In case you missed it, Lamour’s full interview is available here.

Hosted by Scott Sexsmith and Michael Friscolanti, the Editor-in-Chief of Village Media, Inside the Village provides a weekly window into some of the best local journalism from across our chain of Ontario newsrooms. Produced by Derek Turner, the program also explores bigger-picture issues that impact people across the province.

Every episode is archived on this news site /insidethevillage. If you prefer the audio version, it is available wherever you find your favourite podcasts.

​