Jorge Vasquez, Jr. celebrates his $50,000 Pick 5 win.
Prince George’s County man wins $50,000 top prize
Jorge Vasquez, Jr. was all smiles on March 12 when he visited Lottery headquarters. Part of the reason, of course, was the $50,000 winning Pick 5 ticket he brought with him to redeem. But the winning numbers on that ticket — and who and what inspired them — were just as responsible for the joy he was feeling.
“I’ve been playing these numbers, in one form or the other, for 10 years, maybe even longer,” said the Prince George’s County resident and school employee said, adding that his father, Jorge Sr., played a big role in his happy story because the lucky numbers came from his dad’s license plate. “For some reason the numbers always stuck in my head, always seemed special.”
Jorge’s Pick 5 ticket, which he purchased from The Liquor Junction at 11201 Crain Highway in Cheltenham, was in his pocket when he arrived home from work on March 6. His ticket was $2, covering both the March 6 midday and evening drawings.
“I changed my clothes, sat down to relax and pulled out my phone to check the midday Pick 5 number,” Jorge recalled, adding that his father and another family member where with him. “I recognized the number right away, but I didn’t want to say anything until I went to get the ticket from my work pants. I knew it matched, but I wanted to be absolutely positive.”
Jorge sat down next to his dad and shared the good news. “I told him that his plate number had come through for me and that I’d won $50,000. It was emotional for both of us. There were tears.”
Paying bills is Jorge’s first plan for his Pick 5 prize money, and he also plans to help a family member who is set to buy a house soon.
The Liquor Junction also has reason to celebrate, as the Prince George’s County business will receive a $500 bonus for selling the $50,000 Pick 5 winner.
