December 19, 2012 -- While filling up recently at a local gas station, Melvin McCoy, 23, of New Haven asked the clerk to select a $5 CT Lottery scratch game for him to purchase.  She handed him the new holiday “Snow Globe” ticket and wished him, “Good luck.”  Moments later, the clerk’s wish for McCoy was granted.  The number match McCoy revealed on his Snow Globe ticket was a $50,000 top prize winner.

“I’m a bank teller, so I’m used to seeing big numbers at the bank…just not mine.  I thought it was a mistake,” McCoy told Lottery officials with a laugh.  “After the clerk scanned my ticket to confirm it was really a winner, my grandmother was the first person I called to tell.”

McCoy arrived at Lottery headquarters in Rocky Hill to receive a prize check for $34,151 (value after taxes) and was as happy as he could possibly be about it.  “This money will go towards Christmas shopping, paying off some bills and the rest will go to savings.”

For selling McCoy his $50,000 top prize winning Snow Globe ticket, Shell Food Mart, located at 1183 Townsend Avenue in New Haven, will receive a $500 bonus check from the CT Lottery.