Park District Employee Is Winner of VFW Queen of Hearts Jackpot

SCHAUMBURG, IL -- An employee with the Schaumburg Park District became the lucky winner of the McHenry VFW's massive jackpot this past week. Lori Skoniecke, a building coordinator for the park district, won the $7.08 million after her ticket was picked from a horse trough of 2.8 million other tickets during a drawdown Tuesday at the McHenry VFW building on Route 120, the Northwest Herald reports. Deb Scott, a friend and co-worker with the park district, told the newspaper she is thrilled for Skoniecke.

"I can’t think of anyone else who would be as deserving. She’s awesome, she really is,” Scott told the Northwest Herald.

Skoniecke has not spoken publicly about her win. But VFW officials said when they phoned her with the news Tuesday night, she was ecstatic and extremely grateful.

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“She was happy. She was grateful. She thanked us 100 times," VFW Cmdr. Dwane Lungren told the Northwest Herald. She won $2,846,372.26 after taxes, according to the VFW.

Lori was not present at the drawdown event. Her ticket was picked from a large tank holding tickets purchased in the days leading up to the drawdown. Her card selection, number 25, was pulled from a board of three remaining cards to reveal the Queen of Hearts. The drawdown began at 8 p.m. Tuesday and was broadcast via Facebook live on the McHenry VFW Post #4600 page.

The VFW first began selling tickets for its Queen of Hearts game nearly two years ago, according to the Northwest Herald. The first drawing, VFW officials said Tuesday, only about 12 people showed up. This past Tuesday, it was standing-room only in the VFW building along Route 120 in McHenry.

When the Queen of Hearts was picked on the fourth draw, Keefe simply said, "there she is," as he revealed the card to the cheering crowds packed at the VFW.

The Queen of Hearts game will begin again in January. The jackpot will start at $3.412 million.