LANSING, April 29, 2009 – A top Cashword prize has been claimed by Raymond Heinrich Jr. of Madison Heights. The winner scratched his way to a $35,000 prize!

He told Lottery officials that he was “overjoyed” with his win and plans to use the prize money to pay bills.

The lucky Instant ticket was purchased at Clark Gas 12 Mile/I-75, 601 W. 12 Mile Rd., in Madison Heights.

Cashword  is just one of many Michigan Lottery Instant tickets available at nearly 11,000 Lottery retailers statewide.

Over 95 cents of every dollar spent on Lottery tickets is returned to the state in the form of contributions to the state School Aid Fund, prizes to players and commissions to retailers. In fiscal year 2008, the contribution to schools was $740.7 million. Since its inception in 1972, the Lottery has contributed more than $15 billion to education in Michigan.

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

# # #