Retired Buffalo Man Wins $1,000,000 From Lucky Seventh Instant Ticket

• by New York Lottery

SCHENECTADY, NY (07/02/2009)(readMedia)-- Sixty-three year old Melford Maynard has something, or someone to thank for his big $1,000,000 New York Lottery win. Maynard stopped by the Kenmore Avenue landmark, Paula's Donuts, the night of Saturday, May 30th and purchased six New York Millionaire instant tickets to scratch as he sipped his coffee. But it was a lucky decision to purchase a seventh ticket that brought Maynard the sweet surprise he was hoping for.

"Something told me to buy another ticket," said Maynard, a widower and grandfather of two. "My luck comes from the hand of the Lord and my late wife."

Maynard purchased his $1,000,000 winning New York Millionaire ticket on May 30, 2009. He claimed the ticket three days later at the Lottery's Customer Service Center on Genesee St. in Buffalo.

As is the case with most New York Lottery instant game prizes, the top prize on the New York Millionaire ticket is paid as a 20-year annuity. Maynard will receive his prize in annual payments of $50,000 a year before required tax withholdings. His annual net check will total $33,015.

Maynard retired in 2000 from his job as a machine shop supervisor for ITT Enidine of Orchard Park - a job he held for 37 years. His plans for the money include a little something for everyone. "I want to donate money to the church, charity, and my children," said Maynard. "After that, I'll take some time for golf, bowling - the things I enjoy most in life."

The Lottery's New York Millionaire ticket, which went on sale on May 5, 2009, features a variety of cash prizes ranging from $5 to $1,000,000. The $5 scratch off game features four cash prizes worth $1,000,000 each. As of this writing, there are two of the $1,000,000 top prizes remaining.

The New York Lottery contributed nearly $2.54 billion in fiscal year 2008-9 to help support education in New York State, over 12 percent of total state education funding to local school districts. The Lottery's ongoing commitment to education also includes the awarding of more than 1,100 Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) Scholarships annually to high school students pursuing their higher education in New York State. Since 1999, the Lottery has awarded more than 11,500 scholarships representing a total commitment of almost $50 million. The New York Lottery continues to be North America's largest and most profitable Lottery, earning over $36.7 billion in education support statewide since its founding over 40 years ago.

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