A Charlevoix County man doesn’t plan to let winning a life changing amount of money change the way he lives his life.
David Middaugh won $25,000 a year for life playing the Michigan Lottery’s Lucky For Life game. He bought his winning ticket at the Family Fare, located at 103 North M66 in Charlevoix. He matched the five white balls drawn Thursday night – 29-33-36-47-48 – to win the big prize.
Middaugh choose to receive his prize as a one-time lump sum cash payment of $390,000. He could have chosen payments of $25,000 annually for 20 years or for life, whichever is greater.
“I heard a rumor that someone in Charlevoix had won, but had no idea I was the winner,” said Middaugh. “I checked my ticket Friday morning but wasn’t sure I was seeing things right. I took my ticket back to the Family Fare and had it scanned. When I got a printout to call the Lottery office, that’s when I knew I had won.”
The 50-year-old Navy veteran, went home to tell his wife the good news.
“It took a little convincing before my wife believed me,” said Middaugh. “She thought I was joking with her, but once she believed me she was in shock, too.
“The next thing I did was call my mother to tell her about my big win,” said Middaugh. “She is on a fixed income and I told her not worry about her finances anymore.”
In addition to taking care of his mother, Middaugh plans to pay some bills and finally take a long-overdue vacation with his wife.
“My wife and I haven’t been on a vacation in a really long time, so I’m really looking forward to taking her somewhere nice,” said Middaugh. “Whatever is left, will go into the bank.
“As a disabled Navy veteran, this money will really come in handy. My wife and I are quiet people who enjoy spending time with our family. We’ll continue to live our lives that way, but we’ll be more comfortable financially,” Middaugh said.
Michigan players have won more than $7 million so far playing Lucky For Life, including the five $25,000 a year for life winners, and 38 $5,000 winners. Each Lucky For Life drawing is producing more than 15,000 winners on average in Michigan.
For just $2 per play, Lucky For Life gives Lottery players a chance to win prizes ranging from $3 to a lifetime of cash. To win the game’s top prize of $1,000 a day for life, players must match all five winning numbers ranging from 1 to 48, plus one Lucky Ball ranging from 1 to 18. Players who match all five winning numbers, but not the Lucky Ball, will win $25,000 a year for life. Lucky For Life drawings take place every Monday and Thursday at 10:35 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at Lottery retailers across the state.
