After years of playing Maryland Lottery games without a major win, a Gwynn Oak postal worker finally has a $50,000 reason to celebrate: The Army veteran won a top prize playing Bonus Match 5.
The regular player of draw games – including Pick 5 and Bonus Match 5 – played consistently for years, occasionally winning up to $400, but never anything close to this prize.
“I never won anything,” he said.
He has an early start to his workday, 4 a.m., and made his winning purchase at ING Wireless at 7025 Liberty Road in Gwynn Oak on his way to work.
The following day he checked his ticket using the Maryland Lottery app, again on his way to work. As he matched his numbers, he could hardly believe what he was seeing.
“I had to stop after four numbers,” he recalled.
He could barely focus during his shift, checking the ticket every chance he got.
He continued checking before scanning the ticket and receiving a message directing him to contact the Maryland Lottery.
The timing couldn’t be better. He is planning to retire early next year. He intends to use his winnings to pay down debt as he prepares for retirement and help support his daughter and granddaughter.
But one of his biggest plans has nothing to do with money. After spending decades away from his home state, he is looking forward to returning to North Carolina to spend time with his elderly parents.
He left home at 19 and enlisted in the Army at 20, traveling the world before eventually settling in Maryland, where built a life and raised a family.
Now, with retirement on the horizon and an unexpected $50,000 win in hand, he is ready for his next chapter.
“Now it’s time for me to go home,” he said.
ING Wireless receives a $500 for selling the winning ticket.
