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State announces $1M winner in MI Shot to Win sweepstakes on Wednesday

Posted at 6:13 AM, Jul 21, 2021
and last updated 2021-07-21 06:13:36-04

(WXYZ) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the second round of winners in the MI Shot to Win Sweepstakes Wednesday morning.

Related: At current pace, Michigan won't reach 70% of 16+ vaccinated against COVID-19 until 2022

The winner of the $1 million prize and two $50,000 winners were announced.

  • July 5 $50,000 winner Jenna Basaj of Madison Heights
  • July 6 $50,000 winner Paul Bareno of Rockford
  • $1 million winner LaTonda Anderson of Grand Blanc
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"I am a believer. I am a woman of faith," the $1 million prize winner said. LaTonda Anderson says she plans on giving some money back to the church as well as helping her daughter pay off her student loans.

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"They call me the true advocate because [in] my opinion it is the ultimate act of unselfishness to be able to get the COVID vaccine."

Four $50K winners were announced during the first drawing last week. They were:

  • July 1 winner Amber Berger of New Baltimore
  • July 2 winner Adrienne Peterson of Southfield
  • July 3 winner Christopher Ackerman of Detroit
  • July 4 winner Larita Lee of Wyoming

Whitmer announced the sweepstakes to start the month aimed at increasing vaccination rates, but rates have been going down.

As of July 19, the state is averaging just over 3,579 vaccines per day.

Related: Despite lottery announcement, Michigan's COVID-19 vaccination rates continue to fall

If that pace continues, Michigan wouldn't hit the mark of 70% of people 16 and up vaccinated until Jan. 1, 2022.

The percentage of Michiganders with at least one dose of a vaccine gets even lower when including those 12 and up.

Related: 25% of Michigan kids age 12 - 15 fully vaccinated as COVID-19 cases slowly increase

In June, the state averaged 7,273 vaccinations per day, and that number has been more than cut in half to start July.

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