Lottery Event Attended by Hundreds
Sisters Melissa and Naomi Donahoe really love the Maryland Lottery. In fact, they love the Lottery so much that they drove three hours from the Eastern Shore to Baltimore County to attend yesterday’s Cruise for Cash Bash. Their trip paid off – the sisters won $500 on a Cruise for Cash scratch off.
“We wouldn’t have missed this party,” Melissa said, “not only am I a regular Lottery player but I love the Cruise for Cash scratch-off. I want to win a cruise!” Melissa, a manager at Island Cycles in Ocean City, and Naomi, a US Army honorably discharged disabled veteran from Salisbury, made a pact before coming to the party that they would split any winnings. “I can’t wait to go home and share the good news with my 9 year-old daughter Nevaeh,” Naomi added, “she will be thrilled!”
Nearly 400 attendees gathered at Martin’s West in Woodlawn on Sunday to join in the celebration of the game, and vie for the chance to win up to $10,000 at a huge Cruise for Cash Bash. Although it was cold and snow was on the ground outside, attendees were greeted by a tropical, fun atmosphere. Cameras flashed as happy partiers kicked up their heels, dancing and limbo-ing to live music by the XPD’s as they lined up to purchase their Cruise for Cash scratch-offs.
Each time an attendee purchased a Cruise for Cash ticket, they received an entry into a drawing for cash prizes. The Lottery gave away $1,000 every half-hour, culminating into a $10,000 final prize. A teary-eyed Carolle Daniel from Brandywine, who won the $10,000 grand prize, told the crowd that she was going to give back to her community. $1,000 winners included Michael Singhas from Pasadena, Michela Mundy from Parkville, Tommy Thompson from Glen Burnie and Lisa Hines from Baltimore.
“The party was a huge success,” said Lottery Communications Director Carole Everett. “Attendees had a great time, and there was even a marriage proposal at the event!”
Partnering with Royal Caribbean International, the Maryland Lottery launched Cruise for Cash on January 10, 2011. The $5 scratch-off is the first of its kind for the Maryland Lottery and features seven $50,000 instant top prizes, as well as 31 instant and six second-chance cruise vacations. For more information on the Cruise for Cash game, visit mdlottery.com/cruise.