||| FROM XIAMARA GARZA for WASHINGTON LOTTERY |||
Olympia, Wash. – One Orcas Island man is heading into the Thanksgiving holiday this year with something extraordinary to be thankful for – a $1 million Powerball prize.
Last month, John G. stopped by Orcas Island Market in Eastsound to take a look at the jackpot amounts for his favorite lottery games, Powerball and Mega Millions. Typically, he only buys tickets when the jackpots reach a certain level, and on that day, the high Powerball jackpot caught his eye. He purchased a ticket and went home, not knowing he was about to win a life-changing prize.
Days after the drawing, John had forgotten about the ticket. Early one morning he suddenly remembered to check his numbers online, where he saw he had matched five numbers and won the game’s second-tier prize of $1 million. Overwhelmed with excitement and disbelief, he called Washington’s Lottery to confirm his win. After receiving official confirmation, John shared the news with his older sister, who was just as shocked and thrilled.
John celebrated his big win by taking a few of his loved ones out for a special meal. He plans to invest most of his winnings and use the remaining funds on self-care and travel to spend quality time with family.
Powerball is a national lottery game. Each play is $2. Players pick five numbers between one and 69 and one Powerball number between one and 26. Alternatively, players may use Quick Pick by letting the computer select their numbers. With nine winning ball combinations, the more numbers that match those drawn, the more a player will win.
Since 1982, Washington’s Lottery has generated more than $5.3 billion to support several important state programs, including providing much-needed funds for the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account (WOPA). In FY23, WOPA received $199.9 million from the Lottery. Of this, $139.1 million helped fund the Washington College Grant, a financial aid program that supported more than 29,000 college students and apprentices across the state last year. Another $2.5 million helped fund the College Bound program to help eligible students attain a college or training degree or credential.
Washington’s Lottery Beneficiary Fact
Washington’s Lottery is proud to be a financial supporter of the Washington Student Achievement Council, which administers state financial aid programs. WSAC leads a variety of initiatives to increase educational opportunities for students, families, and educators across the state, with a particular focus on increasing equity by reaching communities of color and students from low-income families. The $141.6 million investment made in FY23 by the Lottery helps fund the Washington College Grant and College Bound programs, in order to improve access to postsecondary attainment for students across Washington.
About Washington’s Lottery: The state’s Lottery offers players several types of games, including Mega Millions, Powerball, Lotto, Hit 5, Match 4, Pick 3, Cash POP, Daily Keno and Scratch. For more information, visit www.walottery.com.
Keep it fun. Know your limit. Washington’s Lottery is an advocate for responsible gaming and collaborates with the Evergreen Council for Problem Gambling to provide resources for those in need. More information is available at www.walottery.com/Responsibility.
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Congratulations John! Hopefully this will change both your life, and the lives of those closest to you in a positive manner… I know it would mine.
As we all know there have been others that have also won the lottery here on Orcas… there was one woman who won a million dollars 20 years or so ago. Years ago I was doing some carpentry work with a friend of mine and we had a habit of running into town for our lunch break, and he always wanted to stop by Cons on the way back to work in order to buy a lottery ticket. I remember that on his way into the store he’d always turn around and ask me if I wanted one, to which I’d always tell him “No.” He would then say, “You can’t win if you don’t play,” to which I’d always reply, “You can’t win if you do play.” And then, lo and behold, he won $10,000. If I recall correctly there were 2 people that won $10,000 from a lottery ticket from Cons in that same week. I still don’t play.
I was surprised that you would announce this in public, but I’m glad to hear of your good fortune. I hope that you will keep it in mind that there are many who need help, and I ask that if it is in your heart that you might consider contributing a small amount to my friends who live in Gaza, (in a tent in Al-Mawasi just outside of Khan Younis). My friend is able to receive funds through his bank (which is located outside of Gaza) through the use of his smart phone, and it is in this manner that myself and a small group of islanders have been helping them buy food, water, firewood, clothes, and pay for their medical expenses and tent repairs.
Thank you for your consideration– MJ
Help them survive Gaza– https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-them-survive-gaza