22 postal workers win $10.2M Powerball lottery jackpot
Posted: 10/8/2008 8:00:12 PM
The 22 postal workers had been playing the lottery together for years, sharing the disappointment of regular failures with the grim resolve of the always hopeful.
But now, the 22, who work at the Philadelphia Bulk Mail Center, on Byberry Road near Woodhaven, are sharing the joy of winning the $10.2 million Powerball lottery jackpot on Saturday.
The Powerball winners did not want to go on camera and talk about their good fortunes just yet but they call themselves the "Lucky 22".
Joseph Marquis of the United States Postal Service said the group includes mail handlers, clerks and one supervisor. They all work in the same area and pooled their lottery money for years until they hit the big one this past weekend.
The Lucky 22 matched all five white balls, 01-04-26-32-39, and the red Powerball, 18, to win the jackpot.
Instead of taking the $20 million annuity jackpot, the postal workers decided to take a cash payout of $10.2 million, less 25 percent federal withholding.
Marquis says the group left at lunchtime amid "a lot of congratulations, hugs and kisses." He said everybody was waving them off and wishing them luck.
The Pennsylvania Lottery identified the winners as Larry Hibbett, Keith Williams, Maurice Long, Timothy Herbert, John Meehan, Raymond Jones, Michael Piekielski, Karen Henderson, Eddie Pacheco Jr., Beverly Smith, Winston Davis, Deneatra Jenkins, all of Philadelphia. Also, Barry Bellinger, Darby; Donald Akins, Upper Darby; Gerald Boglia, Levittown; Joseph McGugan, Bensalem; Daniel McKay, Secane; Gregory Haynes, Elkins Park; Garman Gwynn and Ethel Gwynn, both of Willingboro, N.J.; Robert Singleton, Erial, N.J., and Karen Greenfield, Ewing, N.J.
The Powerball ticket was a quick-pick purchased at the Lansdowne Diner in Lansdowne, Delaware County.
The restaurant will receive a $100,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
The Lucky 22 presented the winning ticket for validation yesterday at Lottery headquarters in Middletown, Dauphin County. Officials confirmed it was the winner.
The 22 winners collectively are the 11th Pennsylvania Lottery Powerball jackpot winners since the state joined the multi-state game in June 2002.
Source: Wire Reports, Lottery Post Staff
