Spare change from can recycling leads to Mega Millions prize

Sept. 16 (UPI) -- A Michigan lottery club used old cans to win the $1 million Mega Millions prize.

The group had been playing the lottery some three decades, and members funded their gambling habit with the spare change they earned from can recycling.

"Shortly after the drawing, I remembered I hadn't checked our Mega Millions ticket yet, so I pulled the winning numbers and looked the ticket over," a participant, who remained anonymous, said. "When all the numbers matched except the Mega Ball, I thought: 'I'm not seeing this right.'"

They added: "I had my husband look the ticket over and once he confirmed what I was seeing I called the other club member to tell her the big news. We both felt like we were going to be sick from being so nervous!"

The drawing took place in May and the winners will use their prize to invest.

"It still hasn't fully sunk in for the club members yet," said Kenneth Baran, who represents the club.