TOPEKA, KAN. – It happens, but not very often. An Abilene player who won a Super Kansas Cash jackpot four years ago has done it again! Hope Higgins, 65, matched all six numbers in last night’s drawing to win a grand prize of $1,201,028. Back in April 2004, Higgins was one of two winners who split a Super Kansas Cash jackpot of $3.05 million, with Higgins’ share being more than $1.5 million.
“I went through a stage wondering if I should keep playing,” Higgins said. “But I really felt there was going to be another ‘dream come true,’ so I kept on playing. For some reason, I just knew I would win again.”
Higgins and her husband John are regular Super Kansas Cash players, each buying their own tickets. They typically spend $5-10 each per drawing. When the jackpot goes over $1 million, they spend a little more. Hope had three $5 Quick Pick tickets in last night’s drawing when she matched the winning numbers of 04-14-15-20-30 Cashball 09.
While consistent play in every drawing may have contributed to the Higgins’ chances of winning two jackpots, they believe how they live their lives has more to do with their luck.
“For instance,” John Higgins explained. “Last night, some of us from Masonic Lodge #98 got together to assist a brother who has serious medical issues. We mowed his lawn and did other yard work that he and his wife couldn’t do.”
Hope and John Higgins say they do many things to support worthwhile causes and assist those in need, not because they expect anything in return, but because it’s the right thing to do. Hope says her theory on life is this:
“If you give from the heart, you will be rewarded in many ways. Do nice things for others. Treat others like you want to be treated. This is why we have been so blessed with the lottery and other things in our lives.”
After the Lottery withholds 25 percent in federal withholding tax ($300,257) and 5 percent in state withholding tax ($60,051.40), Hope will receive a check for $840,719.60.
The Higgins’ plans for their prize money this time around include making a donation to the Chapman relief fund to help tornado victims. They also plan to use some of the money to travel around the state of Kansas.
“We moved here from Missouri 25 years ago, and there are a lot of things here in Kansas that we just haven’t seen yet, but would like to – for instance, the place in Alma where they make cheese.”
Married 48 years, the couple has four grown children and eight grandchildren. After her first jackpot win, Higgins was able to retire from her job as Deputy Registrar of Deeds in Dickinson County. John was already retired from American Greeting Card Company when Hope won her first jackpot.
Hope Higgins purchased her jackpot-winning ticket at West Stop West, located at 1324 NW 3rd Street in Abilene. The store is eligible for a $1,000 bonus for selling the ticket.
The jackpot for the Wednesday, June 25, Super Kansas Cash drawing returns to an estimated $100,000.
