Lottery win ends Elkhart woman's 'streak of bad luck'

By Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

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Shantay Britman gets a hug outside the 7-Eleven on County Road 20 in Elkhart after learning she holds a Hoosier Lottery ticket worth $6.5 million. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Apr 17, 2009 at 4:12 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 21, 2009 at 11:09 PM EST

ELKHART — Shantay Britman bought a winning Hoosier Lottery ticket at the 7-Eleven on County Road 20 in Elkhart. That ticket is worth $6.5 million.

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WSBT spoke with Shantay's cousin and she says Shantay has been hit by a streak of bad luck in recent months after getting laid off multiple times. But that all ended Thursday night.

Shantay's cousin says the struggling mother of three deserves every penny of the big prize.

It's a busy day at the bank for Assistant Branch Manager Michelle Blandford. But after getting a phone call from her mom, work is the last thing on her mind.

"She was like, 'Did you hear she won the lotto?' I was like, 'What?' She's like, 'Yeah, $6.5 million.' I was like, 'No way!'" said Blandford.

Michelle's close friend and cousin, 35-year-old Shantay Britman, is the lucky winner. Our cameras were there seconds after Shantay learned the exciting news.

"I can pay my bills! Oh my God!" said Britman.

Shantay is married and has three kids. But making ends meet has been difficult.

"I got laid off in July. We live in my mom's house. She moved into an apartment complex because we have three kids and she let us stay in her house," said Britman.

The bad luck didn't end there.

"She'd get another job, they closed. She got another job, they closed. She worked at a clinic, they closed. You know, her husband was working at Olive Garden hosting while she was unemployed. And you know, that doesn't bring in a whole lot of money. So it's like OK, you've got to pick and choose what you pay," said Blandford.

But not anymore. And Michelle says she's happy this strong and devoted mother finally gets to relax.

"She has just accepted what has come to her and she's lived within that. And now she can live the life that she actually deserves," said Blandford.

"I'm taking my kids to Disney World. I am taking them to Disney World, I promise," Britman said, when asked what she planned to do first with the money.

Shantay hasn't officially been named the winner. She has to physically take the ticket to Hoosier Lotto headquarters in Indy to get it validated.

Shantay is a student at IU South Bend, and she plans to graduate in December with a degree in General Education.

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