A Harrisburg couple, on the drive home from the Oregon Coast after celebrating their ninth wedding anniversary, thought the day couldn’t get much better. That all changed when they realized they’d won $250,000 playing an Oregon Lottery Scratch-it.
“We stopped to get gas and noticed on a billboard that the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots all had a 4 in them,” Riley Ross said. “Then we looked on the mobile app and saw that Megabucks was at $4.4 million and decided we needed to get four of each.”
When they purchased their tickets, Ross said he spotted the $20 VIP Black Scratch-its and decided to get two.
“Normally we play twice a month and break even,” said Jerrica Ross. “We also take them home to play, but for some reason we decided to scratch them in the car. We couldn’t believe it when I scanned it with the app and it said that we’d won $250,000!”
Jerrica said after her tears stopped, the Harrisburg couple decided what they were going to do with the money.
“We are paying off all of our bills and our house,” Riley said. “It’s basically a reset for our finances. It’s a great anniversary present!”
The couple bought their winning ticket at the Shell Station in Monmouth.
During the 2018 fiscal year, more than $25 million in Oregon Lottery proceeds were directed to economic development, parks, education, Outdoor School, Veterans services and watershed enhancement in Linn County, where the Ross family lives. Since 1985, Oregon Lottery players have won more than $38 billion in prizes.
The Oregon Lottery reminds players to always sign the back of their Lottery tickets, regardless of the game. In the event of winning a jackpot, they should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. Prize winners of more than $50,000 are advised to contact the Lottery office and schedule an appointment to claim their prize.
Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $12 billion for economic development, public education, Outdoor School, state parks, Veterans services and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org