Johnny Charlestin of Spring Lake got the birthday present of a lifetime after he won $2 million in the record-setting Powerball drawing on January 13.

Charlestin is part of the HQ Army Reserve Command at Fort Bragg. He was celebrating his birthday with his family when he realized he had a winning ticket.

“I didn’t believe it, it was a feeling I’ll never forget,” Charlestin said. “It’s the best birthday present I’ve ever had.”

Charlestin claimed his prize Tuesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required state and federal tax withholdings, he received $1,385,140. He plans to use the money to help his mom and family.

Charlestin purchased the winning $3 Power Play ticket at the Food Mart Express on Spring Avenue in Spring Lake. To win $2 million, he matched all five white balls. The $1 million prize is automatically doubled for players with Power Play tickets.

In all, last Wednesday’s drawing resulted in 19 big wins in North Carolina. Two tickets won $2 million, three tickets won $100,000 and 14 others won $50,000.

Ticket sales from games like Powerball made it possible for the lottery to raise more than half a billion dollars for the state last year. For details on how over $155 million in lottery funds has made a difference in Cumberland County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” section of the lottery’s website.