Anne Arundel County, MD — A 34-year-old woman from Anne Arundel County experienced sheer excitement as she claimed a $30,000 top prize from the Red Hot Cash scratch-off game. This significant win will enable her to further her passion for assisting animals.
Danielle Schwanke, a medical assistant and devoted pet foster parent, had a remarkable stroke of luck. Rushing into a Giant store in Severna Park to pick up medicine before closing time, she decided to grab $20 worth of scratch-offs from the Lottery Vending machine, including a few Red Hot Cash tickets.
While her boyfriend attempted a few scratch-offs, Danielle waited until later that night while watching television to try hers. Surprisingly, her scratch-off revealed a $30,000 prize. “I know I went ghost white,” she admitted. “I thought, this has to be a mistake.”
Still in disbelief, Danielle and her boyfriend repeatedly checked the ticket to ensure the win. They even woke her boyfriend up to double-check. “Even though it was right in our faces, we were convinced it could not be a winner,” Danielle recalled.
Her excitement prevented her from sleeping, and as soon as local stores opened, she rushed to a Lottery retailer to scan the ticket once more. The confirmation left her elated. “I was so nervous,” Danielle shared. “I have a reputation for being clumsy, so I made sure I didn’t do anything crazy with the ticket.”
A passionate animal lover with eight cats, one dog, and currently fostering five more pets, Danielle revealed her plans to donate a portion of her winnings to a local animal shelter. Additionally, she intends to treat her kids and save the remaining amount.
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The Giant #358 store, located at 575 Governor Ritchie Highway in Severna Park, where Danielle purchased the winning ticket, shares in her good fortune. The store will receive a $300 bonus from the Lottery, equivalent to 1% of the prize, as a reward for selling a top-prize winning scratch-off worth $30,000.