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Woman counts many blessings—including lottery winnings
Lucy Vitalino, center, receives the ceremonial check prize from NMSA treasurer John Hirsh, left, and NMSA lottery manager Anicia Lisua, right, during a presentation at the Twin’s Supermarket in Lower Navy Hill. (Contributed Photo)
As Lito resident Lucy Vitalino counts many blessings this year but none bigger than the one she got from the Northern Marianas Sports Association’s Pacific Gold Lottery: A whopping $5,000.
“I got the benefits from my deceased husband and other earnings this year, so I feel really blessed. And then this lottery prize came. I am so lucky and I am thankful for all these blessings,” said Vitalino, who received the major prize from NMSA treasurer John Hirsh and lottery manager Anicia Lisua in a brief award ceremony last May 18 at Twin’s Supermarket in Lower Navy Hill where the former had her ticket checked.
Vitalino got five of the six winning numbers—12, 17, 38, 31, and 6. She said the winning numbers are the birthdates of her children and other relatives. She missed No. 14, which incidentally was the date she had her winning ticket checked at Twin’s.
“I missed No. 14 on Mother’s Day, but I still received a great Mother’s Day gift,” said Vitalino, who previously won minor prizes in the same lottery.
Meanwhile, Hirsh thanked Vitalino and other patrons of the NMSA lottery and scratchies for supporting a worthy cause.
“Part of the proceeds of the lottery and scratchies go to NMSA, which then uses the funds for our athletes competing off-island,” Hirsh said. “Their help are very much welcome, especially at this time of the year when we are getting ready to send out our athletes to Yap for the 2018 Micronesian Games.”
The CNMI will be competing in ocean swim, outrigger canoe, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, baseball, spearfishing, and athletics and NMSA had already released the $500 financial aid to each athletes and officials of the participating teams. (PR)
