Downers Grove Resident Misplaces $1million Winning Lottery Ticket

Drawing Date: 3/18/2014

March 27, 2014— Cathy and Dave Seiden had no idea that a lottery ticket worth $1million was in a stack of papers on their kitchen counter. “We couldn’t find our ticket! We spent half an hour tearing the house apart looking for it!” The lucky Downers Grove, Ill., residents won $1million when their Quick Pick ticket matched the first five numbers – 11 - 19 - 24 – 33- 51 - (07) - in the Tuesday March 18 Mega Millions drawing.

“Cathy is a very organized person, but she gave the ticket to me and I had no idea where I put it,” Dave said. Dave works in Information Technology for Valley View School District and Cathy is a first grade teacher for Downers Grove School District 58. They heard from a colleague that their local Jewel-Osco store sold a $1million winning Mega Millions ticket. “That’s where I grocery shop every week and I often buy a lottery ticket while I’m there,” said Cathy. The couple immediately started searching for their ticket and after finding it in a stack of papers, checked the winning Mega Millions numbers on illinoislottery.com.

“We were absolutely shocked! We feel very lucky.”  Plans for the windfall include investing in college funds for their two children. “Education is very important to us and this lottery win takes so much pressure off.” When asked if he had any advice for other lottery players Dave said, “Sign the back of your ticket… and let an organized person hold onto it.”

An occasional Mega Millions player, Cathy bought the winning ticket out of the lottery self-serve machine at Jewel-Osco, 2317 75th Street in Woodridge. The retailer received a $10,000 bonus, 1 percent of the prize amount, for selling the winning ticket.