A Queens man received one of the best gift’s one could ever dream of for his 28th birthday.
Patrick Clarke purchased two $10 “Set for Life” scratch-offs at the Friendly Deli & Grocery on Saratoga Avenue in Brooklyn on December 20 – which also served as his 28th birthday. A day earlier, Clarke’s mother, Andrea, had given him $50 and advised him to buy a scratch-off ticket.
Clarke stated, “My mom called and wanted me to do a favor for her and she gave me some money as a thank you. I knew right away I wanted to buy a lottery ticket and knew it had to be ‘Set for Life.’ That’s always been my mom’s game and it’s my game now.”
After leaving the store, Clarke headed to his girlfriends apartment and found out that he had a winning ticket that guaranteed $5,000 a week for life.
Clarke recalled the life-changing moment, “I started laughing and dancing all around the house. I was very surprised that I won the jackpot and feel very blessed. It means I won’t have to worry so much.”
Clarke’s mother, a hospital worker, says Patrick called her six times before she was finally able to speak to him. Andrea admitted that she thought Patrick had made a mistake, “At first I didn’t believe him. Are you sure, check the ticket again.’ He said, ‘Ma, I know what kind of ticket it is because you always are buying this ticket.”
The jackpot prize was $5 million, but instead of incremental payouts, Clarke decided to take the one-time lump sum of $2,453,693. Andrea has encouraged her son to spend his money wisely, and avoid splurging.
Clarke says he will keep his job as a Delta Airlines ramp agent, “I was very surprised that I won the jackpot and feel very blessed. It means I won’t have to worry so much. There will always be something to worry about, but for once, it won’t be about money.”
Clarke intends to buy a home and take care of his children with the money won.
Clarke is also an aspiring rapper, so show him some love and check out his music below!
