LANSING, December 2, 1999 — Mersed Zuniga of Flint got the best stocking stuffer gift this season when he scratched off a Michigan Lottery "Stocking Stuffer" instant ticket to reveal he had won one of the $250,000 top prizes!

"My sister-in-law talked me into buying the ticket," Zuniga said. "I scratched the ticket off at work later that day. I couldn’t believe it was really a winner. I was stunned and my heart started beating really fast! I told my co-workers and my mom right away that I had won."

The 31-year-old winner purchased the winning ticket at Z Five Party Store, G-4377 Clio Road, in Flint. Zuniga said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past five years, and his favorites

are Michigan Lotto, The Big Game, and, of course, the instant games!

Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Zuniga said he kept it in a safe. Zuniga, the manager of a store in Flint, said he plans to invest his winnings.

The lucky man believes anyone can win Lottery games and he offered the following words of wisdom to other Lottery hopefuls: "They are just games of luck. You just have to be in the right place at the right time!"

"Stocking Stuffer" is just one of many Michigan Lottery instant tickets available at more than 9,300 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.