Sept. 21, 2018 - Salem, Ore. – A Sunday afternoon tradition lead to a Veneta woman winning $70,000 playing an Oregon Lottery Scratch-it.
Jeannie Kelly of Veneta has a Sunday afternoon tradition that she thoroughly enjoys – she takes her dogs and goes to Dari-Mart in her neighborhood.
“My parents go with us and then we all get Lottery tickets and play,” Jeanie said. “That’s our Sunday thing every weekend.”
Kelly did what she does every week, and took the tickets home, then made a trip to the grocery store for the week’s meal planning. When she got back, and put the groceries away, she played the Scratch-its, and couldn’t believe what she discovered.
“I just sat there and kept matching the numbers,” Kelly said. “That is a winner, right? Is this really happening? Is all I could say.”
Kelly said she will be celebrating her 20th wedding anniversary in October and the couple are planning a trip to Disneyland. The big decision is whether to visit the California or Florida location.
“We don’t have kids, the dogs are our kids,” she said. “So we might even take the dogs.”
Kelly purchased her ticket at the Dari-Mart in Veneta along Highway 126. The last big winning ticket the store sold was a $250,000 Mega Millions ticket in 2011.
During the 2015-17 biennium in Lane County, where Kelly lives and the Dari-Mart she purchased the ticket are located, more than $50.8 million in Oregon Lottery proceeds were directed to economic development, parks, education and watershed enhancement.
Lottery officials recommend that you always sign the back of your tickets with each Oregon Lottery game you play, to ensure you can claim any prize you may win. In the event of winning a jackpot, players should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. Prize winners of more than $50,000 should contact the Lottery office to schedule an appointment to claim their prize.
Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $11 billion for economic development, public education, state parks and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org