A Calvert County mother of four is celebrating a $25,000 lottery win after playing a family member’s birthdate on the Maryland Lottery’s Pick 5 game.
The Prince Frederick woman, who goes by the nickname “Ragdolls” among her co-workers because they feel like ragdolls at the end of a long workday, danced in the kitchen with her eldest daughter when she realized she had won the May 18 midday drawing. Three days later, on May 21, she claimed the prize at Maryland Lottery headquarters in Baltimore.
“I’m going to buy two tanks of gas and groceries for a month,” she joked during the claim process. She added that she is thrilled about the win and plans to use part of the money for a solid summer vacation with her children.
The winner is a longtime Maryland Lottery player who regularly plays Pick 5, often choosing numbers tied to family birthdates. She purchased the winning ticket at the Giant grocery store located at 655 Solomon’s Island Road North in Prince Frederick.
Maryland Lottery officials confirmed the ticket was a straight bet, which pays $25,000 on a $1 wager when all five numbers match in exact order. Pick 5 is one of the Lottery’s most popular daily draw games, offering players the chance to win significant prizes with relatively small wagers.
For many families in Calvert County, a win like this can provide meaningful financial relief. Calvert County has seen steady population growth in recent years as more families move to Southern Maryland for its affordable housing, good schools, and proximity to the Chesapeake Bay. Local residents often balance work, family, and rising costs of living, making an unexpected lottery prize especially welcome.
The Giant grocery store in Prince Frederick serves as a central hub for Calvert County residents. It is one of several high-volume Lottery retailers in the county, where players frequently stop in for groceries and a chance to play their favorite games.
Maryland Lottery proceeds support public education, local programs, and other state initiatives. Since its inception in 1973, the Lottery has contributed billions of dollars to Maryland’s general fund, with a significant portion benefiting public schools across counties like Calvert.
The winner said she is a regular player who enjoys the daily games and occasionally tries bigger jackpot offerings like Powerball and Mega Millions. She told Lottery staff she is glad to have the win and looks forward to using it to create special memories with her children this summer.
Maryland Lottery winners have 182 days from the date of the drawing to claim their prizes. Prizes of $25,000 or more must be claimed in person at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore by appointment.
