Here are 5 million reasons to listen to your mother.
A Delta Air Lines ramp agent took his mom's advice and bought a scratch-off lottery ticket on his 28th birthday — and it turned out to be a $5 million winner.
Clarke, who lives in Queens, said his mother, Andrea, gave him $50 on Dec. 19. The next day, while visiting his girlfriend in Brooklyn for a birthday celebration, Clarke stopped at the Friendly Deli & Grocery in Brownsville.
He bought two $10 "Set for Life" scratch-offs — but never imagined he would win.
"I didn't have high hopes," he said.
Back at his girlfriend's apartment, Clarke said he scratched one of the tickets and saw a match on number 16 with the word "Life" under it, indicating he had hit the jackpot. He recalled screaming "Whoo-whoo-whoo!"
"I started laughing and dancing all around the house," said Clarke.
The first person he tried to get on the phone? Dear old mom.
Andrea, 52, a hospital worker, said she had six missed calls from her son before they were finally able to speak.
"He called me and told me," she said. "I was really happy. I couldn't believe it."
The jackpot prize was $5 million, but instead of incremental payouts, Clarke opted to take the one-time lump sum of $2,453,693.
"I was very surprised that I won the jackpot and feel very blessed. It means I won't have to worry so much," said Clarke, who said he has no plans to quit his day job.
"There will always be something to worry about, but for once, it won't be about money."
His mother has been cautioning him about what to do with the millions, telling him to spend the money wisely and not to splurge or show off.
Clarke said he is looking forward to buying his own home, where his family can live.
"I'll take it one day at a time and see," he said about any other ideas of spending the money, like taking a vacation or buying a boat.
Store owner Mohamed Ali, 42, said he was thrilled to have sold the winning ticket to Clarke.
"He called me and told me. I couldn't believe it. I was happy for him," said Ali.
"This is the first time we've had a big winner. He's lucky."
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I wonder if that is,his mom. Lol
The caption under the pic says it is Yolanda Vega, NY Lottery spokesperson.
Yep, and she is the one always introducing the winners to the public, look her up on Youtube, she loves the spot light.
Part of me thinks it's great that she soaks so much of the attention up, the other part doesn't like sthat she draws that same attention in.
Yoooolaaaaanda Veeeegaaaaa.
EDIT: "Store owner Mohamed Ali" is a nice one, too!
His odds were 6,180,000 to 1.
Here in Arizona, the most a $10 scratcher will pay is $100,000. Of the two $20 scratchers, one pays $250,000 and the other $2.5 million.
"I'll take it one day at a time and see," he said about any other ideas of spending the money, like taking a vacation or buying a boat.
The two happiest days of a man's life - the day he bought the boat and the day he sold the boat.
NICE best news I have heard all day!
Right. Uhhhhh......
Don't know about loving the spotlight part. However.....seeing that she IS the lottery "spokesperson", common sense would be that it is her job.
I'd give up a five million dollar JP just to have my mom back for one more day with her. -sniff-
I hear ya Mike. I sure miss my mom too.
Yeah. Uh...... except that other spokespeople are a bit more demure. But I'm happy you got your daily dose of condescension.
LOL.
Thanks, Max.
I'm happy that you're happy!!!
You're very welcome, Rusty!!!
More proof to Clarke that his mother is as ever tuned in and tapped on to her son's vortex of wants ... awaiting manifestation!
No It clearly reads under the photo, "New York Spokesperson"
.
Oh man, das co'd brah.