Silver Spring man hid lucky ticket from Feb. 8 drawing in pocket of summer shorts
A Silver Spring resident has enjoyed playing Cash4Life, Powerball and Mega Millions for a long time, but the biggest prize he had won was $40. Then came Feb. 8, when a Cash4Life ticket he bought for that night’s drawing won a whole lot more than that.
The information technology worker was all smiles this week as he visited the Lottery’s office in Baltimore to claim his new personal-best Lottery prize — a second-tier win in Cash4Life. The winner’s friend of nearly 40 years accompanied him to the Winner’s Circle to share the experience. They would often talk and dream about what they would do if they ever won a big prize, the winner said. “Now, that dream comes true.”
Second-tier winners in Cash4Life have their choice of $1,000 a week for life (paid in annual installments); or a one-time payment of $1 million. The happy winner chose the $1 million option and said he plans to invest most of the prize, pay bills with some of the funds and will keep working.
The Cash4Life fan said he simply followed his routine on the night he bought the $2 quick-pick ticket at Giant #135 in Silver Spring. “I buy cigarettes and a ticket,” he said, adding that he didn’t expect to win big.
Four days later, however, he checked the ticket and realized that he beat the odds. The anonymous winner has only shared his great news with his wife and his friend and plans to keep his Lottery luck a secret from everyone else. After discovering that he won, he said he kept the winning ticket safely hidden in the pocket of a pair of shorts, packed away for the winter in the bottom of a dresser drawer.
His lucky retailer can also celebrate. For selling a second-tier winning Cash4Life ticket, Giant #135 located at 3860 International Drive in Silver Spring receives a $2,500 bonus from the Lottery.
