RALEIGH – Greg and Debbie Scheller, who own East Carolina Carpets and Interiors in Greenville, plan to use the $109,711 prize they won in the Friday’s Cash 5 drawing to help family and their church.

“We already bought a couple of tickets that morning,” Debbie said. “That night, Greg went to the store and bought a couple more. I’m so glad he did.”

The Schellers were at home when they learned of their big win.

“We were sitting there and I was checking the numbers,” Debbie said. “I was in shock. I couldn’t talk because I was so excited. This feels absolutely wonderful.”

After taxes were withheld, the Schellers received a check for $74,603. They purchased the winning Quick Pick ticket at Mills Market on Mills Road in Greenville.

The Schellers said they appreciated that the money spent on lottery tickets go to help schools and students in Pitt County.

“The lottery really benefits the kids, provides schools for them and helps us keep teachers working,” Debbie said.

Since the lottery began through June 30, 2011, Pitt County education programs received more than $31.7 million in lottery funds. By law, those funds pay for teachers’ salaries in grades K-3, school construction, need-based college scholarships and prekindergarten programs.
To date, the N.C. Education Lottery has raised more than $2.2 billion for these initiatives statewide.