LANSING, September 6, 2006 – A very lucky Grand Rapids man is $35,000 richer after he scratched a winning Cashword ticket.

The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, said he thought it was a joke when he scratched the winning ticket.  He plans to split the money with a friend.

The lucky ticket was purchased at Tiny Giant Stores #3, 757 44th St. SE, in Kentwood.

Cashword is just one of many Michigan Lottery Instant tickets available at more than 10,000 Lottery retailers statewide.

All proceeds from the Lottery are contributed to the state School Aid Fund which supports kindergarten through 12th grade public education in Michigan.  In fiscal year 2005, the contribution was $667.6 million.

For additional information, please visit the Lottery’s Web site at https://www.michiganlottery.com.

# # #