Traverse City Man Wins $50K In Michigan Vaccine Lottery

A Traverse City man is among 10 Michiganders who won $50,000 after getting their first COVID-19 vaccine dose this month.

Johnathon Barraw was among 10 prizes winners announced Tuesday - all from the Lower Peninsula - who won $50,000 in daily vaccine lottery winnings. He was the first northern Michigan winner in the state sweepstakes, which is giving away nearly $5 million in cash prizes and college scholarships to incentivize Michiganders to get vaccinated. 

Barraw, a father of two, said in a video he got vaccinated on July 8 at the Traverse City Meijer location. He said he works in a hot kitchen and has lung complications, which makes it difficult to wear a mask. Getting the vaccine will allow him to work more easily and also help protect his children, he said. A family friend also died of the virus, which further motivated Barraw. "The only thing I can say is don't wait," he said. "Take your shot, literally."

The latest 10 winners join six other $50,000 winners who were vaccinated July 1-6 and $1 million winner LaTonda Anderson of Grand Blanc. The latest group of winners and the dates they received their first COVID-19 dose are as follows:

Leslie Boney, of West Bloomfield, July 7
Johnathon Barraw, of Traverse City, July 8
Mikayla Alexander, of Detroit, July 9
Erika Smith, of Flint, July 10
Majid Al-hacham, of Dearborn Heights, July 11
Anthony Carroll, of Detroit, July 12
Jonelle Shannon, of Grand Rapids, July 13
Jacqueline Mabee, of Allegan, July 15
Clara Jekel, of Holland, July 16
Ke'Lexis Love, of Flint, July 17