HoCo Teacher, Newlywed Wins $40K In Maryland VaxCash Promotion

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — While teaching class at Broadneck High School, teacher Katie Limbacher of Elkridge was left a voicemail message letting her know that her day just got better, $40,000 better in fact. Limbacher had won a $40,000 prize in the state's $2 million VaxCash promotion.

“I didn’t know whether to believe it or not,” the 31-year-old told Maryland Lottery officials. “I called my husband to see what he thought about the message.”

Her husband Jordan was busy at work when Limbacher called, and told her that he didn’t have time to talk about it, all the while remaining skeptical about the phone call. Her mom lives near Broadneck High, so after work, Limbacher stopped by to talk about the prize.

“My mom didn’t believe it either,” she said.

But the Limbachers did some more checking and received the confirmation they needed: The good news was the real deal.

The newlyweds plan to save most of the prize money to use toward the purchase of a a new house in a few years. They also would like to take a trip to Europe in the future.

They also feel strongly about the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Everyone should get vaccinated,” she said. “It’s about doing the right thing for others."
“And not just for the chance to win $40,000,” he added. “It will be nice to get back to normal life.”

The VaxCash promotion, announced by Governor Larry Hogan on May 20, is a collaboration of the Maryland Lottery and the Maryland Department of Health aimed at incentivizing Marylanders who have not yet received their COVID-19 vaccinations while rewarding those who have. All Maryland residents 18 and older who have received a COVID-19 shot at a non-federal facility in Maryland at any time are automatically entered into daily drawings being held from May 25 through July 4.

Each day through July 3, one winner will receive a $40,000 prize, and the promotion ends on the Fourth of July when one winner will receive a $400,000 prize.