Five Senior Women Share $1.1 Million CASH 5 Jackpot In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Lottery Profits Help Seniors

MIDDLETOWN, PA.,Nov. 2, 2000--Today, an Allegheny County woman , Elva Marcocci, 76, of Coraopolis, one of five senior women who won, will receive her share of a Pennsylvania Lottery CASH 5 jackpot.

The other four jackpot winners, in addition to Mrs. Marcocci, were Anna Lah, 76, of Imperial, Allegheny County, who purchased her winning ticket from Choice Store in Oakdale; Harry Shipman, 51, of Montoursville, Lycoming County, who purchased his winning ticket at the UniMart on North Main Street in Hughesville; Andrew Grajek Sr., 68, of Folcroft, Delaware County, who purchased his winning ticket from Widmer's Tobacco Shop in the McDade Mall, Holmes; and Malcolm Lampkin, 52, from York who purchased his winning ticket at Rutters on Susquehanna Trail in York.

The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state Lottery that exclusively designates its proceeds to benefit older citizens.

The total value of the jackpot was $1,107,725. Each of the five winners, including Mrs. Marcocci, will receive a check for $221,545, less 28 percent federal withholding.

Mrs. Marcocci will receive her winnings check during a formal presentation Thursday, November 2, 2000, at 11 a.m. at Coraopolis Cash Market, located at 1013-1015 Fourth Avenue in Coraopolis, where she purchased her winning CASH 5 ticket. Lottery's Director of Public Relations Sally Danyluk, Pittsburgh Area Supervisor Eric Grubbs and District Lottery Representative Jim Mansuetti will present Mrs. Marcocci her check.

Elva Marcocci says she is a regular customer at Cash Market, owned and operated by the Albert Mancini family. ``I'd be lost if Cash Market wasn't in town,'' she admits. ``They're the best source for groceries, fresh meats and of course, Pennsylvania Lottery tickets!'' Elva says she's a regular Super 6 Lotto player who also plays CASH 5.

``When I realized that night's CASH 5 jackpot was over one million dollars, I rushed into the store at 6:50 p.m. and asked for $5 in CASH 5 quick picks,'' she recalls. Pennsylvania Lottery retailers stop selling on-line tickets at 6:57 p.m. each evening, just before the live nightly drawing takes place. ``I walked back in the house just as the CASH 5 drawing was taking place. I stood there watching the television as four of my numbers were drawn ... then the fifth one came up! I practically shouted I had won at Joe, my husband. He just rolled his eyes and gave me one of those, `Oh, sure you did' looks.''

Elva says she then called their son to tell him. ``He looked up the winning numbers on the Pennsylvania Lottery's web site at www.palottery.com and there they were! He also told me that I shared the jackpot with four other CASH 5 players, but I don't care. It's just so very wonderful to have won,'' she states.

The Mancini family sees Mrs. Marcocci as a valued customer and as a special friend. ``She is the nicest, sweetest person in the world! We are so very happy for Elva and Joe,'' says patriarch Albert Mancini.

The Marcoccis have been married 52 years. As for plans for her winnings, Elva says, ``If Joe behaves himself, I just may give him the Alaskan cruise he's always dreamed of; it will be his Christmas present. And I just may go with him!''

The September 16, 2000, CASH 5 jackpot was the third largest since the game debuted April 23, 1992. The largest CASH 5 top prize reached $1,590,354 on September 7, 1995; it was divided among six winning tickets. The second largest CASH 5 jackpot totaled $1,143,882 and was shared by two tickets.

The winning numbers in the September 16 drawing were 03-06-13-17-30. 

To play CASH 5, players select five numbers from 1 to 39. Players must match all five winning numbers drawn to win the top prize, which starts at $100,000 and continues to roll until it is won. Pennsylvania Lottery also pays players for matching four-, three- and two-of-five winning CASH 5 numbers. Top prizes are awarded in one-time payments.

Since its inception more than 28 years ago, the Lottery has contributed $11.6 billion to programs that have expanded to include Property Tax and Rent Rebates, free and reduced-fare transit for older Pennsylvanians, a co-pay prescription drug program (PACE and PACENET) and the 52 Area Agencies on Aging, including 650 full- and part-time senior centers, located throughout Pennsylvania.