WIND GAP, PA — A Monroe County couple has made history as the first-ever winners of Pennsylvania’s $7 million top prize in the Cash4Life® multi-state lottery game.
Stephen Juhasz III and his wife, Shana, purchased the winning ticket for the January 3 drawing at a GIANT Food Store in Northampton County. The retailer will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the lucky ticket.
The win came as a surprise after Shana bought the ticket during a grocery trip to pick up ice cream and donuts for their daughter. Using a Quick Pick option, she selected the winning numbers. The next day, the couple discovered they were millionaires.
Stephen, who was at work as a fast-food restaurant general manager, received the call from Shana. After confirming the win using the Pennsylvania Lottery app, he immediately left work to celebrate.
The couple opted for the $7 million cash option instead of the $1,000 a day for life annuity. After taxes, they will receive an estimated $5,105,100. They plan to use the winnings to pay off student loans, invest, save, and take their children on a dream trip to Disney.
This is the first time since Pennsylvania joined Cash4Life in 2015 that the state has awarded the top prize. Officials from the Pennsylvania Lottery and GIANT Food Stores celebrated the win by presenting a commemorative check to the Juhasz family.
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The Pennsylvania Lottery also noted that funds generated by the game continue to support programs benefiting older Pennsylvanians.