RALEIGH – Cora McKee, a child nutritionist from Swannanoa in Buncombe County, picked up a penny in a parking lot last Tuesday. “This penny is a winner,” she recalls saying as she put the coin away for safekeeping. Her prediction came true the next day when that same penny scratched off the $150,000 top prize on her Cash Bonanza ticket. McKee claimed her prize at N.C. Education Lottery headquarters with Michael LaPlant, her “better half” and companion of 20 years.

“I kept thinking my eyes weren’t focused,” McKee said of the moment she revealed her big win. “It was the 24th of August and I won on the number 24. It all just fell into place.” LaPlant had feelings of disbelief when McKee presented the winning ticket.

“I thought it was fake,” LaPlant said. “After that I thought it was only worth $150. Then I saw all those extra zeroes. I’ve never seen anything like it.” The couple plans to use their winnings, worth $102,001 after taxes, to purchase a home and help those who have helped them in the past.

“I’m going to keep playing,” McKee said as she collected her prize. “And I’m going to hold on to this penny.” The winning ticket was bought at Energy Plus on Old U.S. 70 Highway in Swannanoa. As of Monday afternoon, one more $150,000 top prize remains to be claimed in the Cash Bonanza game.

From March 30, 2006 through June 30, 2010, Buncombe County players have won more than $113 million in lottery prizes and county retailers have earned more than $7.9 million in commissions on ticket sales.

During the same time period, Buncombe County education programs have received more than $23.9 million in lottery funds. By law, those funds benefit teacher salaries, school construction, need-based college scholarships and prekindergarten programs.

To date, the N.C. Education Lottery has raised more than $2 billion for the education initiatives it serves statewide.