Thomas Escajeda had big news to share at Thanksgiving dinner this year. Earlier that day, the Des Moines resident discovered he’d won $180,000 playing Hit 5 (half of the $360,000 Cashpot due to two winning tickets). He purchased his winning ticket at Safeway (21401 Pacific Hwy S, Des Moines, WA 98198) for the drawing on Wednesday, Nov. 22.
The winner told Washington’s Lottery officials that his kids have already given him their Christmas wish list and, after some bills are paid off, he’s excited to be able to put those things under the tree for them
“My daughter had surgery last year at Children’s Hospital, and even with insurance, we were still left with a lot of medical bills,” Escajeda said. “Everyone at Children’s, from the parking attendants to the people selling candy in the cafeteria, are all wonderful. We’re thankful my daughter is well now and we’ll be able to have a bigger holiday than anticipated.”
The winner also shared that his wife loves musicals, so he’s thinking he’ll treat her to a trip to New York City to see a show on Broadway.
Proceeds from Washington’s Lottery benefit the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account, providing grants to college students statewide. To learn more about Washington’s Lottery, its beneficiaries and to review all up-to-date winning numbers, please visit www.walottery.com.
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WASHINGTON’S LOTTERY: Washington’s Lottery is celebrating 35 years inspiring Washington’s imagination. Since 1982, Washington’s Lottery has generated more than $3 billion to support important state programs including the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account. Money in the Pathways Account goes toward helping students achieve their higher education dreams and supports early childhood education learning programs. The state’s Lottery offers consumers several types of games: Mega Millions, Powerball, Lotto, Hit 5, Match 4, Daily Game, Daily Keno and Scratch. For more information, visit www.walottery.com or join our online community on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walottery and follow us on Twitter @walottery and Instagram @walottery.
Press Contact
Stephanie Kirk (Curator on behalf of Washington’s Lottery)
E-mail: stephanie.kirk@curatorpr.com