Robert Vandenberg of Raleigh will have a more comfortable retirement after a second-chance drawing delivered him a $1 million top prize.

“This couldn’t have come at a more perfect time,” Vandenberg said.

Vandenberg, a kindergarten teacher, found out he won his prize in the first of four $8 Million Money Maker Second Chance drawings when he got a notification from the lottery. There were 979,465 total entries in the drawing.

“It was a big wow,” recalled Vandenberg, who has been teaching for over 30 years. “It was really cool.”

When Vandenberg arrived at lottery headquarters Tuesday, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive his prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum of $600,000 and, after required tax withholdings, took home $430,500.

“We are ecstatic about this,” he said.

Players get a second chance with their $8 Million Money Maker scratch-offs by scanning them into their lottery accounts where they are automatically entered into the drawing. The drawing had one top prize of $1 million, three $100,000 prizes, 10 $25,000 winners and 50 winners of $500.

The N.C. Education Lottery’s Play Smart™ program helps North Carolinians make the most of their lottery play. Visit ncplaysmart.com to learn about all things lottery, from tips on how odds work to how to enter bonus drawings. If you or someone you know needs support, visit morethanagame.nc.gov/ for free, confidential help.