RALEIGH – Lucila Santana of Winston-Salem plans to use the $100,000 she won playing the Cold Hard Cash game to support her children’s education, make home improvements and save for the future.

“When I first looked at it I thought I was going insane,” Santana said. “But I kept staring at all of those zeros and it started to become very clear.”

Santana was in High Point visiting her brother when she purchased the lucky $5 ticket at the Kivett Drive Grocery on Oneka Street.

“I like to play the scratch-off games because I want to know right away if I’m the instant winner,” Santana said Monday afternoon as she collected her winnings.

After state and federal taxes were withheld, Santa received a check for $69,201. As of Tuesday morning, only one more top prize of $100,000 remains to be claimed in the game.

“My children are in school so I like to help in any way I can,” Santana said. “It makes me feel good to know lottery money helps education.”

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 $97 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Forsyth County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.