If you are like most people, then you certainly have that one spot in your car or house where you pile up all your mail and various receipts. And sometimes it is worth to check out those places as it might hide something useful.
That was the case for 68-year old Jimmie Smith as he had a shirt that was just hanging in his closet, but its pocket was full of lottery tickets. This man from New Jersey said: “I always told myself, ‘I’ll check them when I have the time.'”
Fortunately for him, he decided to do that at the perfect moment. If he waited for two more days, his $24.1 million winning ticket, would go to waste.
Now might be the perfect moment for you to go and check your pockets, glove box and all the other places where you usually stash stuff like this.
Drawing that was held on May 25, 2016, showed final combination: 5, 12, 13, 22, 25, 35 and the New York Gaming Commission affirmed that there is a winner to $24,1 million. The ticket was bought at a bodega in New York City, but there was no info on about to whom it was sold. The lucky winner, Smith, bought it and it was sitting there for almost a year.
Since the winners have a year to report their good fortune time was running out. No one claimed that prize and Gweneth Dean, director of the Commission’s Division of the Lottery issued a statement saying: “We urge New York Lottery players: Check your pockets. Check your glove box. Look under the couch cushions. If you have this winning ticket, we look forward to meeting you.”
Smith that is a retired security officer saw the news, and he decided to check out his pockets and old tickets he had. He went to the closet and took those old tickets from the shirt and was quite surprised when the numbers matched. He stood for a minute and needed to stick his head through a window to get some fresh air. He stated: “I was in serious doubt. I really had to convince myself this was real.”
This happened on May 23, 2017, and incredible thing to note is that his winning ticket would expire on May 25, 2017.
Things needed to be verified, and everything was done swiftly after which New York Lottery announced Smith’s name and following statement: “We are thrilled that this lucky winner was able to locate this life-changing ticket.”
Lucky winner decided for his payments to be delivered during the next 26 years. We are sure that this man, father of two and grandfather of 12 will have a way of enjoying all this money with his loved ones. As he said himself “all-family discussion” will be held once things settle down.
