RALEIGH – Kerry Denning of Raleigh says she plans to use the $100,000 prize she scratched off on her $100,000 Treasure Tree ticket to help her family and close friends and maybe take a Myrtle Beach vacation with her dog.

“I purchased the ticket Monday afternoon,” Denning said. “I went home and scratched the tickets, then ran to my mom and said ‘I think I just won $100,000’.”

Denning said she had won $100 in the game before, so that prompted her to purchase more tickets. Her winning ticket was bought at the L & TA Capital Enterprise on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh. Denning won the final top prize in the $100,000 Treasure Tree game.

“I always thought I would win, but I’m still in disbelief,” Denning said as she received her check, worth $68,001 after taxes were withheld. “It’s real and I’m very happy. This money will give me more choices in life.”

Through June 30 of last year, Wake County has received $145.8 million in education funds from the lottery and players have won more than $277 million in prizes. To date, the N.C. Education Lottery has raised more than $2.2 billion for education initiatives statewide.