Ten thousand dollars a month can buy a lot of lettuce, especially for produce lovers like Alfred Behney. The 87-year-old Berks Country resident was presented today with a commemorative check from the Pennsylvania Lottery for winning a top prize on the $10,000 a Month for Life Scratch-Off ticket. Today’s check presentation took place at Lottery Headquarters, 1200 Fulling Mill Road, Middletown, Dauphin County.
Behney, a retired truck driver, said he likes to frequent Amish or Mennonite farm stands to see what fresh produce he can snag. Along the way, he’ll stop by a local gas station to pick up some coffee and a Lottery Scratch-Off ticket.
He said he bought this winning ticket on May 27 at Star Gas & Diesel, 8558 Lancaster Avenue, Bethel Township. The retailer will receive a $10,000 selling bonus.
“I’ve been playing Scratch-Offs for years, especially as a truck driver,” said Behney. He ended up taking the annuity option. The cash prize is a lump sum of $1.6 million.
Behney said he found out that he won a top prize after scanning the ticket at the retailer.
“The clerk and I scanned it and we both just stood there, looking at each other. We didn’t believe it!” said Behney. “I thought, ‘There’s got to be something wrong.’”
Behney said he didn’t always live in Berks County.
“I grew up in Schuylkill County where I was an all-star athlete in school,” he said, adding that he also served in the U.S. Army after the Korean War. But that’s not all.
“In 1961, I signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers in Montgomery Alabama. I made $300 a month. My parents had to send me money. But it was such a great experience,” he said.
Decades later, Behney gets an experience he won’t soon forget. Only this time, it’s with the Pennsylvania Lottery.
“Congratulations to Alfred on his remarkable Pennsylvania Lottery win. His good fortune is a reminder that life‑changing prizes are awarded to players across the Commonwealth every day,” said Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne. “Every Pennsylvania Lottery ticket purchased also supports vital programs that benefit older Pennsylvanians. We’re very proud of the fact that the Pennsylvania Lottery remains the nation’s only state lottery that directs all of its proceeds to programs supporting older residents.”
“On behalf of the entire Pennsylvania Lottery team, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Alfred on this extraordinary win,” saidPennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko. “At 87, after serving in the military and spending time on the baseball field, Alfred has already had an incredible journey. We’re truly delighted to see this prize add a new and joyful chapter for him. I’d also like to thank Star Gas & Diesel for their continued partnership. Our retailer partners help us serve our players and support the Lottery’s mission of benefiting older Pennsylvanians.”
Players can learn more about games by visiting the Lottery’s website or downloading the Official App.
As a reminder, Scratch-Off prizes expire one year from the game’s end-sale date posted at palottery.com. Winners should immediately sign the back of their ticket and call the Lottery at 1-800-692-7481.
Scratch-Offs are distributed at random, meaning the Pennsylvania Lottery and its retailers do not know where winning tickets will be sold. The Lottery learns where winning tickets are sold only after a prize has been claimed.
All Lottery prizes more than $5,000 are subject to applicable withholding. Visit palottery.com to review rules, chances of winning and learn how to play our traditional and online games.