MONTICELLO MAN WINS $10,000 LOTTERY PRIZE

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Michael Muller Wins Top Prize in "It's A Wonderful Life" Scratch Game

DES MOINES, Iowa – A Monticello man has won the top prize of $10,000 in the "It's A Wonderful Life" lottery scratch game based upon the popular holiday movie.

Michael Muller claimed his $10,000 prize Monday at the Iowa Lottery's regional office in Cedar Rapids. He bought his winning ticket at Great Pastimes, 228 N. Main St. in Monticello.

The $2 tickets in the It's A Wonderful Life scratch game feature an image from the movie of the same name, which starred the actor Jimmy Stewart and Iowa's own Donna Reed. The lottery has partnered with the Donna Reed Foundation in Denison in issuing the nostalgic game.

"It's A Wonderful Life," released in 1946, has gone on to become an annual staple of the holidays. The movie's storyline recounts the life of George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart, who is driven to considering suicide on Christmas Eve. Luckily, George's guardian angel arrives in his hour of need and shows him just how valuable his life has been to all of those around him. Donna Reed plays Mary Bailey, George's wife.

Donna Reed was born Donnabelle Mullenger in Denison on Jan. 27, 1921. At age 16, she left Denison by train for Los Angeles to complete her formal education and to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. Her dream became a reality as she captivated the country with her sensitive portrayals in films. Reed is perhaps best remembered for her work on her own television series, "The Donna Reed Show," which aired from 1958 through 1966. She played the role of an honest, humorous, and nurturing mother much like her real self.

The Donna Reed Foundation was formed in Denison in 1987 by members of Donna Reed's hometown community, her family and friends. The foundation encourages and supports talent through scholarships, workshops, and promotion of stage plays, concerts, and other cultural activities. It also operates a performing arts center and museum in Denison.

Players in It's A Wonderful Life try to match any of "your numbers" to the "winning numbers" on the front of each ticket to win a prize. Prizes in the game range from $2 up to $10,000.

Since the Iowa Lottery's start in 1985, its players have won more than $2.2 billion in prizes while the lottery has raised more than $1.1 billion for state programs.