$100,000 Big Play Crossword prize helps special needs son
About two weeks ago, a Salisbury couple was shopping for a van to replace the older model they use to transport their 17-year-old special needs son. Sadly, the prices were too high and they decided to keep shopping. Winning the $100,000 top prize on the Maryland Lottery’s Big Play Crossword, however, just made buying a new van a reality for these parents of four.
“It’s such a blessing,” said Karenna Jones, who is married to scratch-off winner Kenneth.
The 59-year-old found his Lottery luck after dropping off lunch to his wife at her job. He decided to quench his thirst with a cold beverage from the Salisbury Beverage Barn and, while there, bought one $10 scratch-off. That one Big Play Crossword scratch-off was the family’s ticket to a new set of wheels.
The retired operations manager for Clear Channel Outdoor remembers not knowing what to think after he scratched off the instant ticket at home.
“I just kept staring at it because it just didn’t seem right,” Kenneth said. He thought he had won $10,000! Kenneth waited until his wife, who is a teacher, came home from work before sharing the news. “I said to her, ‘What would you do with $10,000!’ ” He didn’t know his prize was actually $100,000 until he arrived at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore to claim his prize.
After they buy a new van with part of the prize, the couple plans to pass the older van to another family in need of a vehicle for a special needs child. “I feel it’s very important to pay it forward,” Karenna said. In addition, Kenneth said, he will donate some of the windfall to his church.
Also a winner is Beverage Barn located at 1120 E Church Street in Salisbury. The lucky retailer will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Lottery for selling the top-prize ticket in the game. There are still four $10,000 prizes in the game and 10 $1,000 prizes awaiting discovery.