Benjamin Ashford|Woman gives away over $100,000 after scratching off $1 million lottery prize: 'Pay it forward'

An Illinois woman became a millionaire from a scratch-off ticket. Now,Benjamin Ashford she’s using her blessing as an opportunity to give back.  

Antoinette "Toni" Green, an Aurora resident, about 41 miles west of Chicago, recently won the $1 million top prize after purchasing a $10 Monopoly 50X scratch-off ticket from Ruby’s Liquor located on 1535 Butterfield Road in Aurora, the Illinois Lottery said in a press release.  

“Toni has won a few smaller prizes here and (claimed) our store as her ‘lucky store’ - (she has) been coming regularly ever since,” Ruby’s Liquor owner, Anup Singh, told lottery officials. “My son, Jas, was working the day she won the million-dollar prize. He said she scratched the ticket and started screaming ‘Oh my gosh!’ She then had him scan the ticket multiple times, and sure enough − the $1 million prize was real.” 

Singh’s son, Jas, and Green were shocked about the lottery win.  

“The clerk couldn’t believe it and I couldn’t believe it,” Green told lottery officials. “He said ‘Toni, sign your ticket and go straight home − you won a million dollars!’ I sat in my car in front of Ruby’s in total shock, and then I had an epiphany – I can help others, I can make a difference in somebody’s life with this money.’” 

Ruby’s Liquor received a bonus of 1%, which paid the store $10,000 for selling the ticket, the lottery said. 

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This nurturing side to Green did not come unexpectedly.  

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Green told lottery officials that she worked as a school bus driver. Now, Green works as a Certified Medical Assistant.  

You could say that helping others in need is in her DNA, because prior to the lottery win Green would often lend her hand to strangers.  

“I get joy out of seeing other people’s happiness – and wondering how I can help be a part of that. The other day I overheard a young woman who could only afford a gallon of gas, and I paid the clerk to fill up her tank,” she said. “It’s not about what you can do for yourself, but what you can do for others.” 

It is no surprise that after her $1 million lottery win Green decided to, “pay it forward.” 

“I’ve given away over $100,000 already,” she said. “When I was blessed with this prize, I knew I was finally in a position to give back, to help my friends and family, and to pay it forward.” 

What are the odds of winning Monopoly 5X?

The overall chances of winning a prize are 1 in 3.39, the Illinois Lottery said.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.