Raleigh resident Shannon Murphy wants to help those in need after a $2 Lucky for Life ticket turned into a $25,000 a year for life prize.

“I want to give to a good cause,” Murphy said. “It’s good karma to give back to those who need it.”

Murphy bought his lucky Quick Pick ticket from the Food Lion on Leesville Road in Raleigh. He won his prize by matching all five white balls in the June 27 drawing. The odds of winning that prize are 1 in 1.8 million.

“This is very surreal and exciting,” Murphy said.

Murphy claimed his prize at lottery headquarters Monday and had the choice of receiving $25,000 a year for the rest of his life or a $390,000 lump sum. He chose the $390,000 lump sum and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $278,850.

“We are still in shock right now,” Murphy said. “We didn’t believe it until we got here today.”

In addition to giving money to a good cause, Murphy plans to invest some of his winnings and buy a new car.

Lucky for Life is one of six lottery games in North Carolina where players have the option of buying their tickets through a retail location or Online Play. Lucky for Life drawings are held every night.

For details on how $63.5 million raised by the lottery made a difference for education programs in Wake County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.