RALEIGH – Kal Jackson, a construction worker from Darlington, S.C., plans to save the $100,000 prize he won playing the $1,000,000 Jackpot game to help buy a house.

Jackson was visiting his girlfriend in Mebane on Saturday when he stopped at the Food Mart on N.C. 119 North to buy lottery tickets. He kept the lucky $10 ticket in his pocket for two hours before he learned of his big win.

“I scratched it off when I got to Roxboro,” Jackson said. “I couldn’t believe I’d been driving around with $100,000 in my pocket. I’m very grateful. This gives me a big lift and gets me closer to buying a home.”

After state and federal taxes were withheld, Jackson collected a check for $69,253. As of Tuesday morning, three $1 million top prizes and two $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed in the game.

Ticket sales made it possible for the lottery to raise more than half a billion for the state last year. North Carolina Education Lottery net proceeds will be used this year to help pay salaries of teachers and teacher assistants, for pre-kindergarten programs for at-risk four-year-olds, school construction and repair, and need-based college scholarships and financial aid.

For details on how $47.3 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Alamance County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.