RALEIGH – William Meece of Pisgah Forest plans to use the $344,602 jackpot he won playing Carolina Cash 5 to make investments and maybe take a trip to the beach. His lucky Quick Pick ticket matched all five numbers in the March 20 drawing to win the jackpot.

“I checked the numbers on my computer the day after the drawing and I was in disbelief,” Meece said. “This is going to help me make some investments and spend more time with my family. I feel awesome.”

After state and federal taxes were withheld, Meece received a check for $238,464. He purchased the ticket at the One Stop on Hendersonville Highway in Pisgah Forest.

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 $6.2 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Transylvania County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.