A St. Mary’s County woman known as “Porky” is turning a painful reminder of loss into a reason to celebrate after winning $50,000 in the Maryland Lottery’s Pick 5 game.
The midday drawing on June 24 delivered the five-digit combination tied to her late brother’s services, a number she has played consistently since his passing several years ago. The straight bet paid off in full, transforming a routine ticket purchase into life-changing news.
Porky, who resides in the community of California, typically buys a week’s worth of tickets at Accokeek Gas & Go in Prince George’s County. On this occasion, she was relaxing at home on her couch when she checked the results and had to do a double take.
Credit: Maryland Lottery
“I had to do a double take!” she told lottery officials when claiming her prize on July 10. Her previous personal best win was $800, making this windfall stand out dramatically.
Accompanied by her son and best friend, Porky made the trip to lottery headquarters to collect the prize. The trio had long discussed a vacation to Jamaica, and the $50,000 win now makes that Caribbean getaway a reality. She also plans to use part of the money to settle some bills.
The victory has not only boosted her own enthusiasm for the lottery but has inspired her best friend to start playing as well. Porky intends to keep buying tickets in hopes of an even bigger score.
Accokeek Gas & Go, located at 201 Bryan Point Road in Prince George’s County, receives a $500 retailer bonus from the Maryland Lottery for selling the winning ticket.
Pick 5 offers players daily midday and evening chances to win up to $50,000 on a $1 straight bet by matching five digits in exact order. The game, introduced in 2022, has become a popular draw game alongside Pick 3 and Pick 4, giving Marylanders accessible opportunities for significant prizes through simple number selection.
Stories like Porky’s highlight how personal or memorial numbers often play a role in lottery wins across Southern Maryland. Similar recent victories in the region have involved license plates, ZIP codes, and employee numbers, turning everyday symbols into windfalls that fund vacations, debt relief, and family plans.
For Porky and her loved ones, the win provides more than financial relief — it offers a moment of joy and connection, honoring her brother’s memory while looking ahead to new adventures in Jamaica.
