Catonsville, MD – Barbara Janowiak, a retired employee from the Baltimore Montgomery Wards, recently claimed a $75,000 second-chance prize from the Maryland Lottery.
After nearly two decades of service at Montgomery Wards, Janowiak returned to her old stomping grounds, now the home of the Lottery Claims Center, to claim her grand prize from the X The Cash promotion. She was the lucky winner in the final drawing, selected randomly among over 18 million entries on July 16. Initially skeptical upon hearing from lottery officials, Janowiak was convinced of her win only after seeing her name listed on the Lottery’s official website.
The excitement was shared with family as they accompanied her to claim the prize. “It was a true surprise and I really couldn’t let myself believe it until later,” Janowiak remarked, overwhelmed by her unexpected fortune. She plans to enjoy the winnings with her family, emphasizing sharing the joy and benefits of her windfall.
The X the Cash promotion, which began in January, featured a series of five drawings over six months, inviting players to enter non-winning tickets for a chance at substantial prizes. Before Janowiak’s win, other Maryland residents had secured $50,000 each through the promotion, showcasing the widespread opportunities the lottery offers.