Phillip Hofer, a local resident of Vilna, has won $697,169 after purchasing a Lightning Lotto ticket at Vilna Family Grocery.
Hofer described the moment he realized he had won, saying, “It just lit up the screen. I couldn’t believe it.”
The win left him momentarily stunned. “The ‘winner’ notification came up and I froze,” he shared. “Then i grabbed the ticket and bolted. I drove right to my buddy’s house to tell him.”
Hofer plans to use his winnings for both practical and personal goals. “I want to top-up my retirement and then take a trip to Vietnam or Palm Springs,” he said.
Despite extensive travel for work, Vietnam remains on his bucket list. Additionally, he expressed a desire to help a friend with projects on their acreage.
Hofer’s winning numbers, 3,4,23,37,46, were drawn on December 9, securing him an instant Lightning Lotto win.
