"Oh my God! Oh my God! I won $500,000!" Save Email Print
Posted: 7:42 PM Apr 30, 2008
 Last Updated: 8:21 PM Apr 30, 2008
 Reporter: Alana Greenfogel
Email Address: Alana.Greenfogel@WNDU.com
44 comments
"Oh my God! Oh my God! I won $500,000!"
A | A | A

Imagine your whole life changing because of a 7x4 inch piece of cardboard.

That seemingly unimportant piece of paper just might have something you'd be interested in--winning lottery numbers.

Rebecca Lekarczyk from South Bend buys lotto tickets a few times a week. The one she bought Friday will change her life.

"I started scratching below and saw all those zeros and I'm like, 'Oooh there's a lot of zeroes there.' So I scratch it the rest of the way off and I'm like, 'Oh my God! Oh my God! I think I just won $500,000! Oh my God," Rebecca says laughing. "I would have never in a million years believed this."

Rebecca says she's never owned a home, and now she plans on buying one. She also wants to buy a car and help out her children.

"I don't have a 401K or any kind of retirement plan. I just figured, I wouldn't live that long so I wouldn't care," Rebecca laughs about. "So now I'm going to start a retirement fund."

So is Rebecca hoping to retire her lottery career on a high note or is she still scratching?

"Oh yeah, heck yeah. I played this morning and won $50!"

(I think we all want a little of her luck.)
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Posted by: Michiana Woman Location: Galien on May 9, 2008 at 07:13 AM
You know, I sure not many of us know this woman or how she will spend her winnings. When you play the lottery, you take a chance, that's why they call it gambling. Lay off of her. If she wants to blow it, let her. She hasn't been a "welfare mama" so far, doubt she will now. It's not going to bother anybody no matter what she does, so just lay off her. Oh, and Nick, I barely make over $20K a year and I do know my finances, but it doesn't help that the economy is so bad and being a single mom doesn't do me any favors either. So don't come in here being all superior.
Posted by: worker Location: indiana on May 8, 2008 at 10:47 AM
She can spend it at the Blue Chip & Four Winds.They will take whatever people are willing to lose.
Posted by: Nick on May 8, 2008 at 09:34 AM
She will be broke in the next year. This always happens to people who win the lottery and have no financial knowledge. You can do your research and since most of the individuals who win make 20K or less, they have no clue on how to manage money. At her age and she has never bought a house??? I was more financially stable by the time I was 20!
Posted by: Bill Location: Osceola on May 7, 2008 at 05:53 PM
Congrats!!!
Posted by: HEHE on May 7, 2008 at 03:31 PM
BT, read your comment over. you might wanna take a class or two yourself.
Posted by: Ernie Location: Granger on May 6, 2008 at 10:10 PM
I'm glad for her...but it's ashamed though really. We all can see it, and we complain about how our State does us wrong...in order to bow down to the Fed's...because if they don't follow Federal guidlines...they wont recieve the Federal funding. Then they do the same to us. Ashamed someone has to take a chance and get lucky after years of working. And if they lose...the State gets the money. But it's all about and the cart and a carrot to take your money. Glad you got lucky.
Posted by: dave Location: northern IN on May 3, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Im rather bemused by the negative posters, but then again modern america is not the mayberry usa era I grew up in, anyway for the winner, advice, get a unlisted number, so you dont get harrassing /begging for money calls. Raise your personal awareness/security, there are people who would try to harm you or your kids over that money,(just look at the hate in these negative postings), and with what you posted on making it on your own for 20yrs,you have done well, hope you can make that money work for you, so you can kick back and enjoy life, best regards
Posted by: AJ Location: SB on May 2, 2008 at 07:00 PM
You self righteous morons who are making fun of this ladie's son for his spelling and grammar are the ones who look stupid. You are obvioulsy too old to realize that people don't care about using the proper punctuation when leaving comments, posting to a blog, or sending a text message. Go back to your quill pen and ink and leave the internet to the rest of us!
Posted by: Kathy Location: South Bend on May 2, 2008 at 05:36 PM
Why is everyone so worried about grammar and punctuation. People need to mind their own business and let Becky do what she wants with HER money. I am very happy for Becky and her family, sounds as though she deserved to win. I wish the ones who only have negative comments would think about what it would mean to them if they had won. Congradulations Becky have fun and be smart.
Posted by: BT Location: Mishiana on May 2, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Congratulations Winner, now use some of this money and send your son Robert to back to school so he can learn how write and use better grammar.
Posted by: Reasoning Location: Mishawaka on May 2, 2008 at 11:59 AM
I do hope she gets a fair, credible Financial Advisor/Accountant to help here with this money. To not fall prey to the wolves who will try and swindle her out of her winnings. Hopefully she will invest a portion of it to be sure she will have money at her fingertips for the rest of her days.
Posted by: ATM-Ang Location: South Bend on May 2, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Congratulations to you and God Bless you! The haters have too much time on their hands and can't write or spell. It is too bad they are wasting energy on hating & being jealous of someone they don't even know.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 2, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Why do dumb people use the catch word, "haters"?
Posted by: Anonymous on May 2, 2008 at 09:05 AM
Robert...WOW. Look at that "sentance" I dont see one punctuation mark throughtout the entire thing. Yout MUST have gone to public schools and you propably graduated with honors. That is pathetic.
Posted by: John pillow Location: Edwardsburg on May 2, 2008 at 08:16 AM
What`s wrong with all you negative people? You all should be happy for her(not jealous).
Posted by: Anonymous on May 1, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Robert, you mean "werkin' hard" doesn't pay!? You mean there isn't anything inherently rewarding, or whatever magical jingoistic self righteous nonsense, about "werkin' hard"? Fascinating. I think we all already knew that, but few will face up to it. I guess facing it would make getting out of bed every morning too hard.
Posted by: The Winner Location: S.B. on May 1, 2008 at 06:31 PM
I did not own a home because it was my choice. I have only played scratch off tickets a few times.Life is a gamble and I took one. I have been a self supporting person raising my two children without the help of their father for 20 years. howmany of you can say that? No welfare dept ever took care of me. So if I want to spend my money on lottery tickets so be it. I feel sorry for all you haters out there.I DO KNOW THIS I'm going to have a great time with this money, and I do have a head on my shoulders so I will at least be comfortable in my later years. How about you? My thankyous to those who wished me well and GOD BLESS those who didn't.
Posted by: Indiana on May 1, 2008 at 06:06 PM
Hey Marcus - What is up with you always leaving the O out of GOD? God, Jesus, Christ... those are all names of our Lord and Savior. It's not a swear word and you don't have to eliminate the O to keep from spelling it or saying it.
Posted by: Robert M. Location: South Bend on May 1, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Congrats mama live it up you deserve it you have worked so hard your entire life tryin to raise me and my brother I love you mom and for all you people talkin junk watch yourself shes a GREAT woman who has put up with alot of stuff so please be nice she'll do whats right for her alot of you sound jealous anyway be glad someone already well off didnt win and someone who has worked 2 jobs for over twenty years can actually enjoy life and live a little more comfortable now!!!!!
Posted by: Mr. Burns on May 1, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Yeah, but what about everyone who loses? If we're content, why be so happy for her? Why should it matter? Why the ecstasy, as if she is now free from great misery? Why are we dreaming of winning the lottery? What happened to the werk ethic? Aren't we free? Aren't we secure? Isn't that what "da troops" are fightin' ta pertekt?
Posted by: Marcus on May 1, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Repent your blasphemy! G-D had nothing to do with the false reward of earthly riches. G-D's riches are in heaven, so I think we all know who was responsible for this 'reward,' don't we? You should donate this tainted money to charity for the glory of G-D, and invest some in treatment for your obvious gambling addiction.
Posted by: Mark on May 1, 2008 at 01:23 PM
How smart is Tracy? If you filled your gas tank every other day at $60 per tank it would take you 44 years to spend $500,000. At 17 gallons per fill up, you'd buy 136,000 gallons of gas. At 20 mpg, you could drive 2.72 million miles. At 60 mph it would take over 45,000 hours to drive that far, or over 5 solid years. Nice example, Tracy.
Posted by: Mark on May 1, 2008 at 01:16 PM
OMG I guess Barack Obama has already made a change for the positive in this lady's life. I hope everyone sees how wonderful it will be for all if he's elected. You'll all be winners just like this lady. Yippee
Posted by: BigRedEvil Location: Death Valley on May 1, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Leave it to the "Debbie Downers" to find a negative spin about winning $500K. Aw heck they should be mad, as they are probably one of the 300 laid off from the "Tray'La" factory..... I dont think in my life time I've filled my gas tank 8000 times... what an idiotic statment. I wouldnt worry about the tax rate... Its still a very large amount of money DUH!
Posted by: Indiana on May 1, 2008 at 09:01 AM
You know I'm really happy for her and I wish it were me... but, I also have to wonder what is the price of a scratch off that has a prize of 500,000? Are those $20 tickets? My point is how much money does she spend on lottery tickets, while not owning a home or having a retirement fund? The lottery can be a fun buck now or then but, people shouldn't get caught up in thinking it's their ticket to financial success.
Posted by: Jeff Location: South Bend on May 1, 2008 at 08:45 AM
Sounds like the green envy bug has bitten Rob and Tony. I feel sorry for you both, it must be miserable to live with such jealousy and pessimism. Good luck Rebecca!
Posted by: Kim Location: Elkhart on May 1, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Is it so difficult in this society to just be happy for someone who has had something happen in their life that to them is exciting. For those negative comments and people. I feel sorry for you. For Rebecca, I hope you enjoy your winnings!
Posted by: Tara Location: Crumstown on May 1, 2008 at 08:34 AM
ALL RIGHT BECKY!! You deserve it girl friend. Love ya, tg
Posted by: Rob Location: SB on May 1, 2008 at 08:02 AM
She will blow it. It will ruin her life and her family. Same sad tale everytime with the same sad ending. She sounds completely irresponsible. One of these saps who doesn't make enough money to buy her own home or build for retirement but I imagine she blows 100's a month on gambling. See in a few years with a lot of fancy toys being repoed because you acted like a fool with your luck.
Posted by: Big Tony Location: Elkhart on May 1, 2008 at 07:53 AM
She will blow through it within 1 year. 150K will go to taxes. She'll buy a much bigger house than she needs, new cars for her and all the kids. Don't quit the factory job honey.
Posted by: Hank the Crank Location: Southern michiana on May 1, 2008 at 05:50 AM
WOO HOO!!!! Now go fill your gas tank, take your family out for dinner, and remember that the tax rate is 55%, alternative minimum tax kicks in at 150,000 and Mitch Daniels is looking for contributors to his campaign...pooof, its gone
Posted by: Tracy Location: Indiana on May 1, 2008 at 12:47 AM
Hey, that's enough money for just over 8,000 fill-ups at the gas station (assuming you pay $60 per fill and assuming you fill up once a week). Oh, and of course that's before taxes are taken from the $500,000...
Posted by: Travis Location: Mishawaka on Apr 30, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Good for you!!! Hope you spend it wisely!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 30, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Congrats!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 30, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Good for you! Now do the smart thing. Find a REPUTABLE financial planner. Kick back and retire early! Don't squander all your money on you kids - they will get it all soon enough as it is! Enjoy your new life, but DON'T do anything foolish like spend it all....really rough times are ahead soon with this economy. Be prepared for it!
Posted by: nephew Scott Location: Dowagiac on Apr 30, 2008 at 09:37 PM
AUNT Rebecca!!! Im your long lost nephew! How about a loan?!? Just kidding just please be wise with it
Posted by: Chaz Location: South Bend on Apr 30, 2008 at 09:22 PM
And how many more are losers? I like the powerball lottery and play a few bucks when it gets really high, but these scratch off tickets are just a tax on the poor that can least afford it. Why is it you seldom see people that get scratch off tickets and drive off in their lexuses? Want to be rich? Do what a rich person does. Save the $20 a week you spend and put in a mutual fund. Do that every week. In 30 years you'll have over $300,000. May not be as flashy but you're a guaranteed winner every time!
Posted by: Jealous on Apr 30, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Why can't I ever be that lucky? I play a couple times a week. Never won more than $100. Oh well, glad to know that a well deserving lady won this
Posted by: Congrats on Apr 30, 2008 at 08:44 PM
I believe it was bought from a Speedway in Mishawaka. From what I hear, she really deserved it. Congratulations! Glad to see a positive story.
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 30, 2008 at 08:24 PM
That is awesome!!! Good for you. You have been blessed!!
Posted by: Glad someone has good fortune Location: South bend on Apr 30, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Congrats on winning. Put the majority in a reritement fund, buy a good home, and a good car. Enjoy it, but save the majority.
Posted by: Big O on Apr 30, 2008 at 07:30 PM
Sweet deal, I applaud you, BUT, spend wisely and save some
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 30, 2008 at 06:19 PM
Good for her!!
Posted by: Brit on Apr 30, 2008 at 06:15 PM
I want to Congrat you on winning! where did u get them tickets lol..
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