RALEIGH – Franklin Holder, a truck driver from Cameron, is the most recent player to win the $150,000 top prize in the White Hot 5’s game. He purchased the lucky $5 ticket during his travels at the M&S Market located on West Pennsylvania Avenue in Southern Pines.

“I usually feel lucky when I buy a ticket,” Holder said. “I’m always hoping it could be the one. But this time, it really was the lucky one.”

After state and federal taxes were withheld, Holder received a check for $103,801. Holder says he plans to invest all of his winnings.

“I couldn’t believe it when I found out I won, because it takes a while to set in,” Holder said as he held his check for the first time. “Now it feels like a big payday.”

White Hot 5’s was launched at the beginning of May with 10 top prizes of $150,000. As of Tuesday afternoon, six more top prizes remain to be claimed in the game.

Ticket sales have made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $3.4 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 $18.5 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Moore County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.