Michael Irwin of Wichita, Kansas has some good news to share with his Boy Scout Troop. Irwin, 60, claimed a $1.2 million jackpot on his Super Kansas Cash ticket for the Dec. 31, 2003 drawing. His $5 Quick Pick ticket matched all six number in the Wednesday drawing to win the prize. Irwin's sons, Tim, 26, and Dominic, 23, accompanied him to Lottery headquarters today to claim the prize.
"I'm very grateful," said Irwin. "this money is going to help my family in so many ways."
Irwin, a self-employed carpenter, said he doesn't buy Super Kansas Cash or Powerball tickets unless the jackpots are really huge. He was shopping at a Dillons grocery store Thursday evening when he decided to check his tickets.
"I had four $5 tickets fort the Super Kansas Cash game, and the first ticket I checked was a $1 winner," said Irwin. "The next two tickets were not winners. Then, when I checked the last ticket, the message said, 'return ticket to retailer', and I had the store clerk check the ticket. When I found out it was the jackpot winning ticket, I was speechless."
Irwin started calling his family: a sister in Ohio, a sister in Chicago, and two brothers in Chicago. He also contacted his daughter in Oregon. His two sons, who live in Wichita, were willing to help him with some suggestions on how to spend the money.
"I'm going to help my family," said Irwin. "I can pay my home loan and maybe buy a new car for my kids."
Irwin, who is single, bought his winning ticket at QuikTrip, 1610 E. Lincoln in Wichita. QuikTrip will receive $1,000 for selling the winning ticket.
I bet he'd like to see KS try the MUSL "Hot Lotto" game.
What a good role model he is-encouraging his Scouts to buy lottery tickets once they reach legal age.