October 27, 2009-Gerard Pellegrino of Centereach, Suffolk County, received his prize check totaling $64,434 for matching all five numbers in the New York Lottery’s Take Five drawing on October 5, 2009.

Pellegrino who is married, has four children and four grandchildren.  “I’ve been playing Lottery games for many years and, when I do play, I like to play the birthdates of my family members,” said Pellegrino.  He plans to share his prize with his family.  

Pellegrino purchased his winning Take Five ticket at Kay Cards, 4920 Nesconset Highway in Port Jefferson Station. The Take Five numbers for Sunday, October 11th were:

6 – 12 – 19 – 24– 39

The New York Lottery continues to be North America's largest and most profitable Lottery, earning more than $36.7 billion in education support statewide since its founding over 40 years ago. The Lottery contributed nearly $2.54 billion in fiscal year 2008-9 to help support education in New York State, which was over 12 percent of total state education funding to local school districts. The Lottery's ongoing commitment to education also includes the awarding of more than 1,100 Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) Scholarships annually to high school students pursuing their higher education in New York State. Since 1999, the Lottery has awarded more than 11,500 scholarships representing a total commitment of almost $50 million.