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Woman finds forgotten lottery ticket while cleaning — and ‘almost passed out’

A woman discovered forgotten lottery tickets while cleaning her Virginia home, lottery officials said.

One ended up being a big winner.

Alfreda Hawkins found a box in her closet filled with lottery tickets, the Virginia Lottery said in a Sept. 25 news release.

She then pulled out a $100,000 Extreme Cash ticket she had bought in Richmond and scratched it, lottery officials said.

When she saw the $100,000 prize, she “almost passed out!” she told the lottery office.

“It was amazing!” Hawkins said.

Hawkins happened to be the final top-prize winner for the game, so the scratcher game has closed, the lottery office said.

She doesn’t have plans yet for her big win.

Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

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This story was originally published September 25, 2025 at 5:10 PM with the headline "Woman finds forgotten lottery ticket while cleaning — and ‘almost passed out’."

Helena Wegner
McClatchy DC
Helena Wegner is a McClatchy National Real-Time Reporter covering the state of Washington and the western region. She’s a journalism graduate from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She’s based in Phoenix.
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