A Shiawassee County woman’s bank account got a big boost thanks to a $1 million Powerball prize, the Michigan Lottery announced on Friday, July 31.
Carmen Dolan of Ovid won $1 million playing Powerball with a ticket purchased at the Burton Corners Party store, 6007 W. M-21 at Baldwin Road, between Owosso and Ovid. She purchased that ticket the afternoon of April 18. Dolan matched the first five numbers drawn on April 18 to win her big prize: 13-22-23-29-31.
“I checked my ticket about three weeks after the drawing at a self-scanner,” said Dolan. “I really didn’t know what I had until the clerk told me it was a big winner. When she said it was a $1 million winner, I couldn’t believe it!”
While many people would quietly tuck the ticket away and head home, Dolan finished her shopping before going to her car and calling her husband.
“When I called my husband, he was happy to hear I was still at the store because he needed me to grab a few things,” said Dolan. “After he told me what he needed, we hung up and I went back inside the store. I didn’t end up telling him the good news until I got home.
“When I told him I won, he thought I meant a few bucks. When I said it was a million, he was shocked.”
The Dolans quickly took the winning ticket to a local bank where it stayed in a safe deposit box while they researched financial options. They claimed the $1 million prize July 21 at Lottery headquarters in Lansing.
The Dolans still are determining what to do with their winnings, but one thing is certain: the $1 million won’t change who they are.
“We’ve always lived within our means, and still will. This money will help us live a little more comfortably,” Dolan said.
