It was a huge mistake, but one with a silver lining for a woman who says her winning $25 million lottery ticket wasn't the one she originally wanted.
Kathy Scruggs, 44, from Lithonia Georgia, says a store clerk mistakenly sold her a lottery ticket for a different game than the one requested.
"I asked for a Mega Millions ticket and the lady gave me a Powerball ticket," Ms. Scruggs told the Georgia Lottery.
"I just took it anyway," she says, ending up purchasing both types.
That Powerball ticket, however, contained the complete set of winning numbers.
"We were screaming and hollering, and everybody came running," she describes the morning after the September 14th drawing.
She says her entire house and family were woken by her excitement.
"I could not believe it," she explains.
Nineteen days later, Ms. Scruggs claimed her winnings in Atlanta.
Previously only carrying a seasonal job which ended following Prom time, Ms. Scruggs says she has been continuously looking for work.
"I've been looking and looking and looking," she told the lottery.
But following her multi-million win, she now expects to be gainfully busy.
"I'm going to build my mom and grandmother a home," she to told the lottery. "That's my first focus."
With the winning money she also plans to treat herself to a new car, travel, as well as to help others.
Her current desire in giving back is for a new homeless foundation.
Ms. Scruggs says she'd also like to use some of the money to provide dental assistance to the needy.
"I'm happy and grateful," she tells the Georgia Lottery. "I really am."
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I always buy the wrong ticket thats why iI'm still here..Now the Mistake ticket is another thing. The name of this story should be changed to the Mistake ticket..And I always buy the Mistake tickets also , when the store clerk messes up...
OOppps. Sorry ..Forget to say congrats to Kathy...
Congratulations to Ms. Scruggs
I love reading about this kind of lottery winner. The fact that the ticket was a mistake reminds me of NY prison guard Garina Fearon who went to buy a PB ticket and ended up with a $54 million Mega Millions winner!
Best mistake ever
Nice story, Congrats Kathy, enjoy !
Congrats to Kathy Scruggs!
I think it may have been OJ's lawyer, Johnny Cochrane, who once said:
"If the ticket's a mistake - it's the ticket you must take."
Or maybe it was me who said that, I don't remember.
i always take wrong tickets love them . it was simply her luck .
i like what she s gonna do with the money verry generious of her .
im sure and hope she will tip the clerk who gave her the wrong wining ticket also . i didnt see that in the story . im sure she will
god bless her .
ridge how are you buddy .
im sure it was you who said that
and you said it verry well .
Congrats to the winner. This story was posted on Yahoo. There were so many people upset about her buying the ticket because she was unemployed. Crazy!! You think they were wanted to be the winners.
I always buy "mistake" tickets.Hasn't done any good,yet,but I keep hoping & dreaming.Congrats to the lucky lady!
I believe a lot of things happen in life for a reason! Congrats Ms.Scruggs.Now only if i can become virginia first powerball winner tonight!
Hey suri, I'm rollin'.
Thank you, it probably was me, sounded familiar.
I also buy the mistake tickets, and hope I get to come back and reward the cashier for the mistake. Hasn't happened yet.
Helping needy with dental. I think that's a wonderful idea.