GRANTSVILLE GIRL $4,000 LOTTERY WINNER - Three-Year-Old Carissa Leann Yoak Cashes Ticket

(01/02/2004)

Carissa Leann Yoak, the daughter of Eddie and Donna Yoak of Grantsville, had a very Merry Christmas this year.

She was a $4,000 winner in the West Virginia Veteran's Cash 4.

Three-year-old Carissa had her cousin Robby Parsons scratch the winner, after the ticket was given to her as a Christmas gift by her aunt Kaye Yoak.

Robert and Dolores Yoak went to Charleston this week to pick up the lottery check for her.

According to lottery officials, she could have picked it up herself because it was given to her as a gift. You have to be 18 to purchase tickets but can be of any age to receive the money.

"It was a pretty exciting time for us as we have never won anything big with the lottery. Her parents say the money will be put away for her future," said Kaye Yoak, who purchased about 75 tickets to be given to family members for Christmas.

"She hasn't any idea how much money she won but, she was impressed with the tee shirts, key chains and hats that the lottery officials gave my parents when they picked up her check, " said Yoak.