A Bay County woman can look forward to a future filled with cash after winning $5,000 a week for life from the Michigan Lottery.

The 51 year-old player, who chose to remain anonymous, bought her winning ticket at the Kroger store, located at 435 North Main Street in Frankenmuth.

According to the player, each time she visits the local Kroger store, she stops at the Lottery vending machine to buy Cash For Life tickets.

“After I got home from my shopping trip, I started to make dinner and while I was waiting for it to cook I started scratching my tickets,” said the player. “As soon as I scratched the ticket off, I knew I had a big winner and I got on my knees in my kitchen and thanked God.

“Next, I called my son and told him I had a big winner. He kept asking if I was sure and I told him ‘I’m positive this is a big winner.’”

Soon after he got the phone call, the player’s son was at her house to look at the ticket.

“We were both so happy we couldn’t stop celebrating,” said the player. “I put the dinner I was cooking in the fridge, and we went to my son’s house to share the good news with his wife.

“When we got to his house, we all had a toast with champagne and started talking about how our family’s life will change.”

The player will receive annual payments of $260,000 for 20 years or life, whichever is greater. She could have chosen to take a one-time lump sum payment of $5.5 million instead of the annuity prize. With her winnings, she plans to retire, do some home improvements, and enjoy spending time with her family.

“Winning a Lottery prize this big can really put your mind at ease knowing how much you can do for family. It will let me provide a brighter future for my children and grandchildren, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do,” the player said.

Players have won more than $12.6 million playing $5,000 A Week For Life, which launched in April. Each $10 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $10 up to a lifetime of cash. More than $53.7 million in prizes remain, including two lifetime prizes, 45 $10,000 prizes, 340 $4,000 prizes, and 2,170 $1,000 prizes.

Lottery instant games may be purchased at 11,000 retailers across the state.