Meet Margie Mason

What game did you win and how much did you win?
Little Lotto - $325,000

Did you ever dream about hitting the jackpot when you played the lottery?
Of course! Everybody dreams.

What were your initial thoughts?
Shock. I kept saying, “I won it. I know I won it.” I actually called my daughter to let her know and when she looked at the ticket she said, “Oh Mom, you did win.”

Did you do anything to celebrate your win?
I went to Springfield with my ticket. I had my hair fixed before I went down.

What do you plan on doing with your winnings?
I’m going to pay off my credit card debt, get a used car and I’m going to buy a new refrigerator.  I have my eye on this one particular refrigerator and I can’t wait to get it!

Meet Tom Myers

What game did you win and how much did you win?
Fantastic 5’s instant ticket - $100,000

Where did you purchase the winning ticket?
Trading Post in Collinsville, Ill.

What were your initial thoughts?
I scratched the first game and saw I won $10,000. Then I scratched the second game and saw I won $20,000. I started to scratch the third game and saw the Fantastic 5 symbol and realized I had won $70,000. I finished scratching and realized I won the jackpot. I couldn’t believe it – I was a nervous wreck!

Who did you talk to first, after finding out you won?
I was at work and I called my wife, but I wouldn’t tell her how much I won. I told her she had to see for herself. When I showed her the ticket we hugged and kissed and celebrated.

What do you plan to do with your winnings?
My wife and I are going to take a vacation to celebrate. I’m also going to use the winnings to pay for our daughter’s wedding next summer.

Meet Mike Fazekas

What game did you win and how much did you win?
Mega Millions - $250,000

Who did you talk to first, after finding out you had won?
I called my mom first. She was ecstatic when she heard the news.

What do you plan to do with your winnings?
I always thought if I won, I would spend my money on all these crazy things, but I’m going to be a lot smarter with it. I plan on buying a house, a SUV, furniture, everything I need for the house and sock the rest away. That’s not what I thought I’d be doing with my winnings five years ago.

Has this changed your plans for the future?
No, this is a kick start for the future, I’m going to be more comfortable and less stressed, but it’s not going to change anything.

Will you continue playing the Lottery?
Absolutely!  I still play Mega Millions every week.