RALEIGH – Christopher Vickers, a general contractor from Charlotte, plans to purchase his first home after scratching off the $150,000 top prize in the White Hot 5’s game.

“I’m going to get a little house and just pay it off,” Vickers said. “I’m not going to worry about renting ever again. This really is a life-changing thing for me. It still hasn’t really hit me.”

Vickers learned of his big win after purchasing the $5 ticket at the Wilco at the corner of U.S. 601 and N.C. 27 in Midland on Friday evening.

“When my girlfriend and I scratched off the ticket I just sat there frozen for about five minutes,” Vickers said. “I just could not believe it.”

After state and federal taxes were withheld, Vickers received a check for $103,801. He said he plans to use a portion of his winnings to take a beach vacation.

As of Tuesday afternoon, two more $150,000 top prizes remain to be claimed in the game.

Ticket sales have made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $3.3 billion for the state. Net proceeds are used for prekindergarten programs for at-risk four-year-olds, teachers’ salaries in grades K-3, school construction, digital learning initiatives, need-based college scholarships and financial aid.

For details on how more than $254.5 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Mecklenburg County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.