BAEZA, Spain — A wave of early festive cheer has swept through the historic Andalusian town of Baeza after a ticket from the Spanish National Organization of the Blind (ONCE) awarded a significant prize in its Weekend Super Draw. The winning ticket promises its holder a “Sueldazo” prize of €2,000 ($2,150) a month for ten years, totaling €240,000 ($258,000).

The fortunate ticket, part of the draw held last Saturday, November 8, was sold by Antonio Cruz, an ambulant vendor who has been a familiar face in central Baeza since 2012. Cruz expressed his delight upon learning of the win, highlighting the timing as particularly auspicious.

“We don’t know if it went to a local resident or a tourist, but either way, it’s a huge joy,” Cruz told reporters. “This is good any time, but on the eve of year-end, it’s even better, with all the expenses people have.”

ONCE: More Than Just a Lottery

ONCE, or the Spanish National Organization of the Blind, stands as a unique institution within Spain, renowned for its vital social mission. Established in 1938, it is not merely a lottery operator but a comprehensive social enterprise dedicated to improving the quality of life for people who are blind or have severe visual impairments. The funds generated through its popular lottery draws directly finance:

• Education and rehabilitation programs
• Employment opportunities, particularly for its visually impaired vendors
• Accessibility services and assistive technologies
• Social integration initiatives

The organization’s transparent model and public-private nature make its lotteries a trusted and impactful form of public engagement, providing direct social benefit from every ticket sold. This commitment underscores why the sale of an ONCE ticket, especially a winning one, resonates deeply within Spanish communities.

The Sueldazo Draw: Details and Broader Reach

The Weekend Super Draw (Sueldazo del Fin de Semana) offers substantial prizes every Saturday and Sunday. The main prize includes €300,000 ($322,500) upfront, plus €5,000 ($5,375) a month for 20 years. In addition, four secondary prizes, like the one landed in Baeza, award €2,000 a month for a decade.

Beyond Baeza, Saturday’s draw, which was dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU), also distributed prizes in Spain’s Canary Islands and the Community of Valencia, showcasing its widespread reach.

Looking ahead, this Sunday’s draw will carry an Andalusian theme, honoring the 50th anniversary of Tussam, Seville’s public transport company. Such dedications often highlight important public institutions and milestones, weaving ONCE’s draws into the fabric of Spanish civic life.

For Baeza, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning Renaissance architecture, the lottery win adds another layer of local pride and offers a tangible boost to someone’s financial security, just as the holiday season approaches. It’s a reminder that sometimes, fortune truly smiles on the deserving, facilitated by an organization committed to a greater social good.