Moline Resident Joins Lottery Million Dollar Match 5
Club
Calvin Allen and his wife Linda have both been in shock since
they realized last week they had won $1 million in the August 8
Powerball drawing. Allen, who only plays Powerball when the jackpot
soars above $80 million, matched the first five numbers and headed
to Topeka to claim his million dollars. The winning numbers were
03-07-11-15-28 Powerball 12. Allen's winning numbers were
03-07-11-15-28 Powerball 31.
This was only the second time Allen has played his own numbers
using kids' and grandkids' birthdays, and he bought the ticket an
hour before the drawing, so he was more than excited to win. "I
know you win a prize when you match five numbers but I wasn't sure
what the prize amount is so I checked the brochure I have," he
said. Once he realized it was $1 million, he asked his friend
over and over for two days, "Is this right?"
The 52-year-old winner took his ticket back to the retailer he
bought it from for validation. The store clerk confirmed he had won
and told him he needed to claim his winnings at Lottery
headquarters. When she saw the look of disbelief on his face she
said, "I'm serious!"
Allen is glad he strayed from his usual purchase of instant
scratch tickets and pull tabs last week. He's convinced a fortune
he read telling him money was in his future is what led him to this
windfall. A nicer home, a newer truck and a vacation are on
this winner's wish list and he plans to enjoy retirement with his
wife, four children and eight grandchildren.
The winning ticket was purchased at Moline Q-Mart, located at
520 E. 3rd in Moline.