News

Maryland Heights Woman ''Pays it Forward'' with $25,000 Prize

A Maryland Heights woman believes one good deed should be matched with another.  Karen Blecher, 47, of Maryland Heights uncovered the $25,000 top prize on a Missouri Lottery "Monopoly™" Scratchers ticket on Oct. 29, but she wasn’t thinking of herself after discovering she had won.

"I have a neighbor that has been going through rough times just like I was a few years ago," said Blecher.  "As soon as I got the prize money, I walked over to her house and told her I was giving her $500 to buy her kids Christmas gifts this year.  I gave her another $100 and told her to tell each of her kids that the money was for them to get their mom a Christmas gift," explained Blecher.

Blecher’s act of kindness was her way of returning a favor she received from a former co-worker years earlier.  

"I was going through tough times, and a co-worker at the time surprised me with $500 one day after work," said Blecher.  "I will never forget how it made me feel to receive such a generous gift.  I’ve been waiting to be able to make someone else feel that way.  I could cry just thinking about it."

Blecher, a first-time Lottery winner, noted she also plans on buying her 19-year-old son, Tony, a car with a portion of her winnings.

"My son is in college," said Blecher.  "Now I will be able to buy him a car to get back and fourth.  This money was such a blessing."

Blecher purchased her winning ticket from QuikTrip, 11525 Dorsett Road in Maryland Heights. 

’’Monopoly™,’’ a $2 game with a top prize of $25,000, officially began on Oct. 4.