Community Corner
Divine Intervention? South Bay Man Wins 'Set For Life' Lottery Scratcher
He had a choice of $4,000 a month for 25 years or $696,000 cash. Hint: he's 86-years-old.
SAN JOSE, CA — An 86-year-old man won $696,000 after buying a lottery ticket at a San Jose pharmacy, California Lottery officials said.
The photo-shy Daniel Mendez told California Lottery officials that he buys $4 of lottery tickets every few days after watering the flowers at his church.
"I don't ask the Virgin to pay me [lottery] money. I ask that she pays me with taking care of my grandkids," Mendez said in a statement.
Find out what's happening in Los Gatosfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"That's more valuable than money to me - but I really do need a new roof on my house!" Mendez said.
Mendez opted for the lump sum $696,000 award over the alternative, a monthly $4,000 payment for 25 years, totaling $1.2 million.
Find out what's happening in Los Gatosfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Mendez has been living in the same house with his wife since 1963, he told California Lottery officials.
"I could be responsible for the drought," Mendez said in a statement. "I've needed a roof for a few years now, and sometimes [when the weather is threatening] I say 'don't rain today!'" Mendez said.
Mendez told California Lottery officials that he plans to spend some of his prize money on some more landscaping for his church.
California Lottery will pay the CVS Pharmacy at 1685 Tully Road a $6,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
— Bay City News; Image via California Lottery