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Cocoa Couple Travels in Style to Claim $30 Million Florida Lotto Jackpot

Gene Van Alstine, 52, along with his wife of 30 years, Helen, 49, could have received 30 annual installments of approximately $1,000,000(a) each, but instead chose a single cash payment of $16,527,036.

``I didn't find out I had the winning numbers until I saw them in the newspaper on Sunday morning,'' said Helen, who works for First Union Bank in Cocoa. ``The last three numbers first caught my eye and then I saw that I had all six of them. All I could say was 'Oh my God' to my husband!''

The winning numbers for the Feb. 17, 2001 drawing are: 04 - 05 - 33 - 44 - 46 - 50. The lucky ticket was bought at Publix Supermarket, located at 7325 U.S. Highway 1 North in Cocoa.

``After we checked the newspaper, we went to the Lottery's web site and found out there was only one winning ticket sold in Cocoa,'' said Gene, who plans to retire soon from the space industry. ``In a sense, it hit us then that we had won, but it really hasn't hit us yet.''

The Van Alstines are the 23rd FLORIDA LOTTO winners either to reside in or to purchase a winning ticket in Brevard County and the 642nd LOTTO winner to win more than $1 million since 1988.

``On that Sunday, everyone was coming over to our house and my husband told me we had to act normal,'' said Helen. ``I was a basket case when I found out I won, and I'm still a basket case today. I tried to figure out how much we won, but our calculator won't even go to a million dollars! It has really been a lot of emotional ups and downs for us.''

The Van Alstines plan to use their winnings mainly for investment purposes. Helen said she'll also use her time off ``to spend more time with her grandsons.''

``My advice to other Lottery players is not to give up,'' said Gene. ``I was at work for the last two weeks, but I don't think I'll be going back.''

The jackpot for Saturday's FLORIDA LOTTO drawing is estimated at $7 million. The drawing will be broadcast live statewide at 11 p.m. EST.

(a) Prize estimate based on current interest rates on day of prize claim.

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