Stocking Stuffer Yields $75,000 Prize

Jan. 22, 2021 – Salem, Ore. – Every holiday, Contessa McConnell’s sister buys Oregon Lottery Scratch-its as stocking stuffers. And this year, McConnell is very happy the tradition continued!

“We were sitting around on Christmas Eve,” said McConnell, of Klamath Falls, “and my brother was scratching his Scratch-it he got from our sister, so I thought I would join him.”

McConnell began scratching her “Reindeer Riches” Scratch-it. “My mom asked me what I was doing, and I told her I thought I’d won,” said McConnell. “I took out my phone and used the Lottery’s app and scanned the ticket and it said I’d won $75,000! Both my brother and sister were giving me a hard time since either one of them could have gotten my ticket.”

McConnell made the trip to Salem to claim her prize January 21. Her sister had purchased the winning ticket at Sherm’s Thunderbird Market in Klamath Falls.

To protect the health and safety of its employees and the public, the Oregon Lottery has temporarily closed the Salem and Wilsonville Lottery offices. Officials with the Lottery continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely. If players have a winning ticket, they can fill out a claim form on the Oregon Lottery website, https://oregonlottery.org/about/claim-prizes , and then mail in the signed ticket and claim form.

Players who have winning tickets of $50,000 or more, will need to make an appointment to come to the Oregon Lottery office in Salem. Call 503-540-1000 for assistance. As always, players should be certain to sign the back of their tickets.

Since 1985, Oregon Lottery players have won more than $38 billion in prizes.

Lottery officials recommend that you always sign the back of your tickets with each Oregon Lottery game you play, to ensure you can claim any prize you may win. In the event of winning a jackpot, players should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings.

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than
$12 billion for economic development, public education, Outdoor School, state parks, Veteran Services and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org

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