An Indiana woman, Emily Hickox, experienced the surprise of a lifetime during her family’s white elephant gift exchange last month.
Emily, 25, shared how the event unfolded: “My cousin bought the Detroit Lions-themed lottery ticket for the exchange.
My dad won the ticket, and I ended up with the gift he brought—a flashlight. He wanted his gift back, so we traded after the game.”
On Christmas, which also happened to be her birthday, Emily scratched the ticket. Initially, she believed she had won $50,000.
Curious, she used the Michigan Lottery app to scan the ticket, only to discover she had actually won $500,000. “I was speechless. I couldn’t believe I had won half a million dollars!” she said.
The winning ticket had been purchased at the Meijer store on 10 Mile Road in Rockford.
Emily recently claimed her prize at the Michigan Lottery headquarters in Lansing.
Emily plans to use her winnings to buy a new car, invest, and share her fortune with her cousin, who bought the ticket, and her parents.
Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli commented, “It’s always wonderful to hear stories of players discovering their big wins in unique ways.
Winning $500,000 is thrilling, but to win on Christmas and your birthday from a gift exchange is truly extraordinary. Congratulations, Emily!”
This isn’t the first time Michigan has seen remarkable lottery wins. In June 2024, the Breakfast Club lottery group won an $842 million jackpot. They plan to use their winnings to purchase a Florida home and travel.
However, not all winnings are claimed.
A $1 million Mega Millions ticket sold in Southfield in 2023 went unclaimed, redirecting the money to the state’s School Aid Fund. Players are always encouraged to check their tickets promptly.
Emily’s story stands out as an inspiring reminder of how life-changing a lottery win can be, especially when it arrives unexpectedly during a joyful family tradition.