NASHVILLE – Tammy Gillespie of Murfreesboro cried tears of joy Tuesday evening after learning she won $20,000 by entering a Tennessee Lottery second-chance drawing.
“You’re serious? You have no idea what this means!” Ms. Gillespie, 38, told Rebecca Hargrove, President and CEO of the Lottery, during the surprise phone call Ms. Hargrove made to share the good news. “We’re Katrina survivors and we’re trying to go back home. I just can’t even believe this is happening to me …Tennessee has been so good to us!”
Ms. Gillespie, who has three children, was just one of 18 winners who won a share of more than $679,000 in cash by entering non-winning instant tickets into “Play it Again!”, one of the Lottery’s second-chance drawing programs. Two of those winners, Bruce Berutti of Bon Aqua, and Linda Climer of Brownsville, won $250,000 each by taking a second-chance.
“Thank you! Thank you! I just don’t know what to say!” exclaimed Ms. Climer, a 45-year-old medical services worker from Brownsville. Between lots of excited laugher, Ms. Climer said the first thing she will do is pay bills.
Other winners include:
• Victor Costner, a retired veteran who lives in Dandridge and won $88,888;
• Nancy Johnson, a retired resident of Crossville with great-great grandchildren who will help enjoy her $27,000 win;
• Jimmy Choate, 40, of Portland, who whooped “Yee Hah!” when told about his $24,000 win;
• Paul White, a retired GM worker who lives in Chapel Hill and won $7,000;
• Bobby Flemming, a retired Ford Motor Co. employee who resides in Nashville and won $2,222;
• Michael Crosby, 45, who lives in Lawrenceburg and won $777.
Ten additional players won $1,000 each by entering “Play it Again!,” designed to give a second chance to play and win while helping the environment.
