Guadalupe Valtierra, who works two jobs as a cook in Graham, says her $100,000 win with a Mega Bucks instant ticket will help her pay some bills and buy some essential items for her home.

Valtierra, who enjoys playing the lottery’s instant games, said her legs started to shake when she realized one of the three tickets she bought at The Pop Shoppe on U.S. 70 in Mebane was a big winner. She said the largest prize she had won before was $20.

After state and federal taxes were withheld, Valtierra received $69,201. She said she would use some of the money to buy a new dryer, a new microwave and tires for her car.

As of December 2013, the lottery has raised more than $3.19 billion to support education programs. Lottery dollars support teachers’ salaries in grades K-3, school construction and repair projects, prekindergarten programs for at-risk four-year-olds, need-based college scholarships and financial aid and digital learning initiatives.

To see how more than $40.5 million in lottery dollars have made a difference in Alamance County, go to the Where the Money Goes webpage at http://www.nc-educationlottery.org/beneficiary.aspx.