Frederick resident plans to pay off college debt and consider a dream trip to Paris
A Maryland woman’s life took an unexpected turn when a thoughtful gift from her mother turned into a $50,000 lottery win. The Frederick woman, who rarely plays the lottery herself, was given a Bonus Match 5 ticket by her mother for the September 23 drawing. To her astonishment, the ticket ended up winning the top prize.
A family tradition with a twist
Although the winner typically doesn’t play, her family members—especially her husband and parents—are regular lottery participants and occasionally give her tickets to encourage her to join in the fun. Her mother, in a lighthearted moment, handed her the ticket, saying, “I’m tired of working, and I need you to get me my winning lottery ticket.” Little did they know, this would become a reality.
The $50,000 prize may not be enough to fund her mother’s retirement, but it has made a significant difference in the woman’s life. She plans to use the money to pay off her student loans and is also considering fulfilling a lifelong dream of traveling to Paris.
Recent lottery wins in Maryland
This win comes as Maryland sees a streak of lucky lottery players. Earlier in September, Tim Todd from Huntingtown also scored big in a Mega Millions drawing. Todd, a 52-year-old electrician, decided to add the Megaplier option to his $15 quick-pick ticket, which elevated his winnings from $10,000 to an impressive $40,000.
“I do it all the time. It’s more money that you can win,” Todd said of his strategy, which involves paying an extra dollar for the Megaplier feature. During a routine trip to the grocery store, Todd discovered his good fortune when a message flashed on the machine: “Go to Lottery.”
Todd recalled the moment with excitement, saying, “I said, ‘This must be something good,’” before learning from the clerk that he had won $40,000. His plan for the winnings includes settling debts, though he’s still considering other possibilities for his newfound wealth.
Tradition and strategy pay off
A lifelong Washington Commanders fan, Todd sticks to a unique lottery tradition—folding his ticket and tucking it into his wallet for good luck. Despite his wife’s advice to limit his play to a single line, Todd’s insistence on playing five lines was vindicated when his third line brought in the $40,000 win.
The winning ticket was purchased at Dunkirk Wawa, located at 10245 Kirksville Lane in Calvert County, adding to Maryland’s growing list of lottery success stories.
As these fortunate Maryland residents celebrate their winnings, their stories inspire hope for others hoping to strike it big with their tickets.