LANSING, October 10, 2006 - Shirley Haidys was yelling out her good fortune from her back porch after she realized her Mega Millions ticket was worth $250,000!

The lucky ticket matched all five white ball numbers in the Oct. 6 Mega Millions drawing.  Haidys checked her numbers Saturday morning in the Ludington Daily News and after seeing she had matched three and four of the numbers, had to give the ticket to her husband to check the rest.

The lucky lady, who has been playing the Mega Millions game since it began, said she and her husband Leo plan to donate and invest their prize money.

She purchased the winning easy-pick ticket at the Wishing Well, 5335 W. Business Rte 3, in Pentwater.

Mega Millions is a multi-state lottery game in Michigan, California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington.  Wagers cost $1 each and tickets may be purchased at more than 10,000 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

All proceeds from the Lottery are contributed to the state School Aid Fund which supports kindergarten through 12th grade public education in Michigan.  In fiscal year 2005, the contribution was $667.6 million.

For additional information, please visit the Lottery's Web site at www.michigan.gov/lottery.

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