BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Bakersfield, California, now knows which of its citizens won $17 million over the weekend playing the lottery.
A Bakersfield mother of five, who was about to be evicted after her home went into foreclosure, has no reason to worry about finding her next home.
Teresa Serrano hit the jackpot, winning $17 million. Her daughters were overcome with emotion and tears of joy for their mother, who got her first job in the United States picking tomatoes at age 13.
"I can't believe it. I'm still in shock," said daughter Dania Arvizu.
Serrano bought $4 worth of SuperLotto Plus tickets for Saturday's draw. She randomly picked all six winning numbers on one ticket.
She then went home and placed the ticket under a painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Pope John Paul II.
"She got it, kissed it and placed it over here," said daughter Cynthia Landeros.
California lottery officials presented Serrano with an oversized check Tuesday in Fresno. Serrano and her husband Agustin opted to take the $11.5 million lump sum option.
Arriving home after the Fresno trip, family members gathered at the couple's home, still shaking heads in disbelief. Life has not always been this way for the family.
Serrano recalled the time when the family lived in Wasco and the family was down to just $20. The family had no food in the house and the baby needed Pampers.
"My husband asked me whether he should buy Pampers or chicken," said Serrano.
Agustin Landeros wound up buying a small pack of Pampers and used the rest of the money to buy chicken and vegetables. Serrano made chicken soup for the family.
"I'll never ever forget that," said Serrano.
Taking a lump sump payment of $11.5 million, Serrano will receive around $8.5 million after taxes.
The family plans to making a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City to give thanks.
The convenience store where Serrano bought the winning ticket, Ming Avenue Shell near Highway 99, will receive a bonus from California Lottery of one-half percent of the winnings or $85,000.
Congragultions!,for a lottery player, the happiest moment is when you win!
Very touching story!
Congratulations to the Family
Congrats to the Serrano family. It's always nice to hear about a family in dire need - win!
Congrats to the Serrano family.
I hope that they spend wisely & enjoy life!
Felicidades a la familia Serrano! / Congrats to the Serrano Family!
Your faith has worked for you, regardless of who or what is believed in. Enjoy!
There is a God! What a wonderful story, who better to receive these winnings?
I'm going to start kissing my tickets starting today! Then I will put them underneath my lucky Leprechaun for safe keeping, until they win!
Awesome win for them. Seems like everytime i click on the news there's a new millionaire winner somewhere.
These are the kind of stories that make me smile, from rags to riches. Good for them!
Outstanding story !!!!!.....Congratulations and enjoy your new wealth...
Congrats to the Serrano family!!!!!!!
Congratulations to this big net $Ms jackpot winner!
I wonder if before the vacations begin, the back defaulted payments, lawyer, property appraisals, and court document fees will soon be paid to the lender(s) who financed their house; the lender(s) probably would rather not have to complete their backloged 12 month long foreclosure process for the house.
It's so rare that there is both a Mega Millions and California Super Lotto Plus Jackpot winning ticket on back to back days on March 30th and 31st, 2012 since January 24th and 25th, 2012. Congratulations to this winner.
"A Bakersfield mother of five, who was about to be evicted after her home went into foreclosure..."
I came here looking for something
I couldn't find anywhere else
Hey, I'm not tryin' to be nobody
I just want a chance to be myself
I've spent a thousand miles of thumbin'
Yes, I've worn blisters on my heels
Tryin' to find me something better
Here on the streets of Bakersfield
Hey, you don't know me but you don't like me
Say you careless how I feel
But how many of you that sit and judge me
Ever walked the streets of Bakersfield
Spent some time in San Francisco
I spent a night there in the can
They threw this drunk man in my jail cell
I took fifteen dollars from that man
Left him my watch and my old house key
Don't want folks thinkin' that I'd steal
Then I thanked him as I was leaving
And I headed for the streets of Bakersfield
Hey, you don't know me but you don't like me
Say you careless how I feel
But how many of you that sit and judge me
Ever walked the streets of Bakersfield
Hey, you don't know me but you don't like me
Say you careless how I feel
But how many of you that sit and judge me
Ever walked the streets of Bakersfield
How many of you that sit and judge me
Ever walked the streets of Bakersfield
~Buck Owens~