The Jacket Jackpot: How a Donated Coat Led to a Million-Dollar Lottery Surprise

A Monroeville woman’s act of kindness turned into an unbelievable windfall after a donated jacket hid a life-changing secret—a forgotten lottery ticket worth a staggering $1 million.

The Unlikely Discovery

When an anonymous woman donated a jacket to St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in Monroeville, she had no idea she was giving away more than just outerwear. The jacket, later purchased by a thrift store shopper, contained an old lottery ticket tucked inside one of its pockets.

• The winning Powerball ticket was from a May 2023 drawing.
• The shopper, who chose to remain anonymous, discovered the ticket while checking the pockets.
• After verifying the ticket at the Pennsylvania Lottery office, they claimed the $1 million prize.

A Stroke of Luck—Or Fate?

The original owner of the jacket, now aware of the lost fortune, expressed no regrets. "It’s wild to think about, but I’m happy for whoever found it," she said. Meanwhile, the lucky thrifter plans to use the winnings to support their family and donate to local charities.

"This just goes to show—always check your pockets before donating clothes!" — Pennsylvania Lottery spokesperson

What Happens Next?

1. The Pennsylvania Lottery confirmed the ticket was legally claimed.
2. No disputes arose, as the original owner accepted the loss.
3. The thrift store has seen an uptick in shoppers—hoping for their own hidden treasure.

What Do You Think?

• Should the original owner have gotten a share of the winnings?
• Would you donate clothes without checking every pocket?
• Is this a case of karma rewarding the thrift store shopper?
• Would you have kept quiet if you found a winning ticket in a donated item?