Couple in Pennsylvania Win Cash4Life Lottery Worth $7 Million
A hardworking couple from Pennsylvania just got the surprise of their lives: they recently took home the big prize of $7 million in Cash4Life, the multi-state lottery game. The couple expressed their plans for their newfound wealth, stating that they will use some of the funds for education, buy a house, take their kids to Disney World, and add further improvements in their lives.
A hardworking couple from Pennsylvania is celebrating a life-changing windfall after winning $7 million in Cash4Life, the multiple-state lottery game. The residents of Monroe County, Stephen and Shana Juhasz, are now making plans for their newfound fortune, which will help them further their education, support their family, and fulfill long-held dreams.
A life-changing decision
Both Stephen and Shana work hard to provide for their family. Stephen is a manager at a McDonald's, while Shana balances her job as a nurse with her ongoing education. The couple has three children, and they see the lottery win as an opportunity to invest in their future.
Shana purchased the winning ticket in Northampton County's Giant Food Stores for drawing on January 3. She had initially gone to the store to buy donuts and ice for their daughter and decided to pick up lottery tickets while she was there. "Shana usually buys Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, and sometimes she'll grab a random one," Stephen said in a statement released by the Pennsylvania Lottery office. "This time, she randomly bought Cash4Life and used the Quick Pick option."
An unbelievable moment
The following day, while Stephen was at work, Shana checked their tickets on the PA Lottery app. What she found left them both in shock. "I told her to scan the ticket, and as she read the results to me, I asked her to read them again," Stephen recalled. "When I realized we had won, I screamed and ran out of work. I immediately called my boss to let him know I had to leave."
The couple opted for the one-time lump sum payment of $7 million instead of the $1,000-a-day-for-life prize. After federal and state taxes, they will take home an estimated $5,105,100.
Making dreams a reality
With their winnings, the couple has several goals. Education is a top priority - Shana plans to continue her studies to become a nurse practitioner, while Stephen wants to return to school to study finance. He works at a McDonald's now, but he's going to learn more about finance. For the immediate future, he intends to keep his restaurant job.
Aside from furthering their education, the couple wants to purchase a home, pay off their student loans, and set aside money for their children's college education. Another major goal is to take their family on a dream vacation to Disney World. "I've always dreamed of taking them to Disney," Shana said. Thanks to their win, that dream is now a reality.
A historic win for Pennsylvania
This win marks the first time the Pennsylvania Lottery has awarded a $7 million top prize in the Cash4Life game. The game, which Pennsylvania joined in 2015, offers a top prize of either $1,000 a day for life or a one-time $7 million payout.
Pat Browne, Pennsylvania's Secretary of Revenue, expressed excitement over the win. "We are thrilled that this historic win in Pennsylvania is delivering a life-changing prize to Stephen, Shana, and their family," he said in a statement. The retailer that sold the winning ticket, Giant Food Stores, will also receive a $10,000 bonus for their role in the lucky transaction.
How Cash4Life works
Cash4Life is a multi-state lottery game that costs $2 per play. Players select five numbers between 1 and 60, plus a green Cash Ball number between 1 and 4. They can either choose their own numbers or opt for a Quick Pick. Since joining the game, Pennsylvania has awarded 17 Cash4Life prizes, all in the second tier.
For Stephen and Shana, their lucky Quick Pick ticket has changed their lives forever. With smart financial planning, education, and a little bit of fun, their $7 million windfall is set to provide lasting benefits for their family's future.
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