A Genesee County woman went to the store to purchase a Lucky For Life ticket, not knowing she had a $25,000 a year for life winning ticket in her purse!
Dina Russell, of Flushing, won the big prize when her Lucky For Life ticket matched the five white balls drawn on Feb. 20: 05-07-13-37-39. She bought her winning ticket at Borders Corner Store, located at 7024 East Pickard Road in Mount Pleasant.
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“I play Lucky for Life regularly,” said Russell. “I pulled up to the gas station to purchase a ticket, but before going in, I checked the Lucky for Life ticket I had in my purse by scanning it on the Lottery app. When $25,000 a year for life came up on the screen, I was thrilled!
“I took a screenshot and sent it to my husband. He immediately replied: ‘Get home ASAP!’ so that we could get the ticket locked up in a safe spot.”
Russell, 59, visited Lottery headquarters recently to claim her prize. She chose to receive her winnings as a one-time lump sum payment of $390,000, rather than annuity payments of $25,000 a year for 20 years or life, whichever is greater. With her winnings, she plans to buy a car, share with her kids, and then save the remainder for retirement.