RALEIGH – Candace Hunt of Fayetteville considers May 14 to be her lucky day. Not only is it her birthday, but her son’s, as well. But four days ago, after the birthday celebrations were over, she found yet another reason to smile when she scratched off the $200,000 top prize in the $200,000 Gold Rush game.

“It was an awesome day all around,” Hunt said as she collected her winnings on Monday. “My son was the best birthday gift ever I ever received, so this is just extra. I’m really thrilled and blessed.”

Hunt is the third player to win the top prize in the $5 game. She purchased the lucky ticket at the One Stop Shop on Strickland Bridge Road in Fayetteville.

Hunt plans to use her winnings, worth $138,501 after state and federal withholdings, to pay off her car and save for her children.

The $200,000 Gold Rush game went on sale on Jan. 6. As of Monday afternoon, three top prizes remain to be claimed in the game.

Ticket sales have made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $3.8 billion for the state. 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, for school construction and repair, and need-based college scholarships and financial aid.

For details on how $133 million in lottery funds have made a difference for specific education programs in Cumberland County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.