Michigan lottery winner gives store clerk his car

Jul 30, 2015, 11:33 am (12 comments)

Michigan Lottery

Generous winner remains anonymous

Paying it forward is the plan for a loyal Michigan Lottery player from Otsego County who won a $13.1 million Lotto 47 jackpot.

The man, who chose to remain anonymous, matched the numbers drawn in Wednesday night's Lotto 47 drawing — 1, 6, 25, 32, 34, and 41 — to win the $13.1 million jackpot. The prize is the fourth largest Lotto 47 jackpot ever won.

He bought his winning ticket at DerMiner's Parkside Market, located at 7131 Old Highway 27 South in Gaylord.

"I've been playing the lottery for years. I play different draw games depending on which game feels lucky," said the player. "I've been watching the Lotto 47 jackpot grow, and have been playing the game for weeks."

The player was surprised, and even a little bummed out, when he went to work on Thursday morning and saw someone had won the Lotto 47 jackpot.

"When I saw that the jackpot was back to $1 million I was a little disappointed, the thought that I could be the winner never crossed my mind," said the player. "When I got to the last line of my ticket and saw that I had all six numbers I could barely breathe. I kept rubbing my eyes to make sure I was seeing the numbers right."

Meanwhile, at DerMiner's Parkside Market, news that the winning Lotto 47 ticket was sold at the store was traveling fast.

"People were coming in and congratulating my wife and I before we even knew we'd sold the winning ticket," said Brian DerMiner, who owns the store with his wife Robin. "When we learned who the jackpot winner was we were ecstatic. He's been a great customer for the store, and is someone we consider a friend."

DerMiner accompanied his friend to Lansing Friday when he claimed his jackpot. The player chose to receive his prize as a one-time lump sum payment of about $8.3 million.

"Honestly, this could not have happened to a nicer person," said DerMiner. "On the way here, all he talked about was his plans to help other people with his good fortune. I don't think he mentioned anything he wanted to do for himself even once."

The player does plan to purchase a new car, but only because he always promised to help one of the clerks at DerMiner's if he ever won big.

"One of the clerks at the store needs a car really bad," said the player. "Every time I bought a ticket from her, I told her that if I hit a jackpot she could have my Lincoln. Well, I hit a jackpot, and now I owe her a car. I can't wait to see her reaction when I give her the keys."

In addition to purchasing a new car, the player plans to help his sister retire, take care of some family members in need, and possibly start a charity in the Gaylord area. He's also planning to setup an investment account to help his money grow until he decides to retire.

Each Lotto 47 play is only $1. Players select six numbers from one to 47 for a chance to win a jackpot starting at $1 million and that grows until someone wins it. For an additional $1 per game, players may add EZMatch to their ticket for a chance to win up to $500 instantly. Lotto 47 drawings take place on Wednesday and Saturday at 7:29 p.m. Tickets may be purchased until 7:08 p.m. on the day of the drawing.

News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

Thanks to needinghelp for the tip.

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

plumsage's avatarplumsage

Sounds like he is a very nice man, to give the store clerk his car because he knew she needed one.  I would choose to remain anonymous too if I won.  Congrats to this Michigan player!!!!!

jjtheprince

Very cool!  I know if someone sold me a winner I'd be grateful enough to get them a car, trip, help them pay bills or whatever within reason.

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

I used to tease with the few clerks I bought my tickets from they had thar choice of fugly old lincoln or a nice equally fugly old cadillac

of course even then I rarely if at all got the few dollars back

 

nice to see a guy keep that promise

music*'s avatarmusic*

 Brian & Robin DerMiner and their clerk appear to be upstanding friends whom the winner can trust.

 When the unnamed winner chose anonymity he is forgoing the criminal element experience, the hangers on, the Memphis mafia,  family and friends begging for their share, Congratulations winner!!Party

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

Congratulations anonymous winner. You're smart to keep your privacy.

I like seeing the winning ticket. This one was bought 2 days before the draw. All qps.

eddessaknight's avatareddessaknight

Quote: Originally posted by plumsage on Jul 30, 2015

Sounds like he is a very nice man, to give the store clerk his car because he knew she needed one.  I would choose to remain anonymous too if I won.  Congrats to this Michigan player!!!!!

I Agree!

BRAVO:Many Americans, nationwide/worldwide, are known for their generosity & charity with new found Fortunes-  as well as day to day giving.

Fortes Fortuna Juvat

Sun SmileyEddessaKnight

DELotteryPlyr's avatarDELotteryPlyr

Excellent story! You can tell he wanted to help her before he won, as he knew of her issues, which is the sign of a great person.  Thumbs Up

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by DELotteryPlyr on Jul 30, 2015

Excellent story! You can tell he wanted to help her before he won, as he knew of her issues, which is the sign of a great person.  Thumbs Up

Love stories of positive Karma with him not only paying it forward, but keeping his word to that clerk.

pickone4me's avatarpickone4me

That is real nice someone doing some good,  I hate to repeat this, at least it wasn't a stupid bicycle!Big Smile

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Nothing like having a plan which includes a gift that someone really could use. Great job and great offer !!! Excellent gesture. Karma can be a wonderful thing.

Thumbs Up

sully16's avatarsully16

That was really nice, congrats to the lucky jackpot winner and new car winner.

zephbe's avatarzephbe

I like that he is helping his family  "the player plans to help his sister retire, take care of some family members in need".

Sounds like a nice guy.

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