On Jan. 3, Shana Juhasz went to Giant in Wind Gap to get some doughnuts and ice cream for her daughter. Her husband, Stephen III, said he was upset because he had to take their son to wrestling practice.

Shana decided to treat them to one Cash4Life lottery ticket, the first one she ever purchased. She normally buys a Powerball or MegaMillions.

She chose the numbers using Quick Pick.

The sweet surprise came the next day when they discovered they had won $7 million. The couple accepted their ceremonial check on Friday morning.

This is the first time ever that Pennsylvania has awarded a top prize from the Cash4Life multi-state game. The Pennsylvania Lottery joined the game in April 2015.

Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne said, “We are thrilled that this historic win in Pennsylvania is delivering a life-changing prize to Stephen, Shana and their family.”

Pennsylvania has been participating in the lottery for 50 years. “Never have we had a prize this large,” Browne said.

Browne said, “Choosing to play leads to great things.”

The lottery helps to reduce property taxes for senior citizens, Brown said. In 2024, the lottery paid out $320 million to senior citizens, he added.

The Juhasz family opted to take the lump sum rather than $1,000 a day for life. After taxes they will receive about $5.1 million.

The couple is planning to do some celebrating by taking their three children on a trip to Disneyworld.

On the practical side, Stephen Juhasz said they will use the money to buy a house in the area. Shana is going to school to become a nurse practitioner so the money will pay for that and to pay off Stephen’s student loans.

They will also set up college funds for the children, he said.

Giant will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.