Officials from the Pennsylvania Lottery and Buttermilk Hollow SHOP ‘n SAVE presented a commemorative check today to Stephen Vanzuiden, the winner of a $1 million Scratch-Off ticket. The ceremony took place at the SHOP ‘n SAVE location on 4647 Buttermilk Hollow Road, West Mifflin, where Vanzuiden purchased the winning ticket.
For selling the grand-prize ticket, the store will receive a $5,000 bonus.
The Scratch-Off game, aptly named “$1 Million? Seriously,” went on sale on April 18, 2023. It costs $20 to participate and offers top prizes of $1 million. Vanzuiden, a 70-year-old resident of Allegheny County, revealed that he has been a devoted PA Lottery player for over three decades. “I scratched the ticket at home, and it felt completely unrealistic when I saw the prize amount,” he said.
Vanzuiden purchased his winning ticket on September 22 and wasted no time claiming it just three days later on September 25. He then shared the joyous news with his family and close friends. “I told a good buddy of mine since we both like to play the Lottery. He said he was a little jealous initially but congratulated me after,” Vanzuiden recounted.
A retired salesman with a passion for flying and coin collecting, Vanzuiden plans to use his winnings to further indulge in these hobbies. “I’m a licensed pilot and it’s an expensive hobby, so this will definitely help me,” he said, still awestruck by his good fortune.
“Congratulations to our newest millionaire, Stephen, on his prize,” said Drew Svitko, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Lottery. He also acknowledged the essential role of retailers and players in supporting the state’s lottery system, which funds life-sustaining programs and services for older residents. Barb Algeri, owner of the Buttermilk Hollow SHOP ‘n SAVE, added, “It’s always exciting to see a local win big and goes to show winning tickets can show up anywhere.”