Jason and Marci Lowry, a brother and sister from Winnabow, chose their Lucky for Life numbers using family birthdays and the strategy paid off with a $25,000 a year for life prize.

“We are thrilled that the winning numbers represent special dates,” they said.

The Lowrys bought the lucky $2 ticket from the E-Z Way Grocery on North Howe Street in Southport. They won their prize by matching all five white balls in the Dec. 27 drawing. The odds of winning that prize are 1 in 1.8 million.

“This is really sweet,” Jason said.

When they Lowrys arrived at lottery headquarters Monday, they had a decision to make. They could choose to receive $25,000 a year for the rest of their lives or a $390,000 lump sum. They chose to split the $390,000 lump sum. They each claimed $195,000 and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, each took home $140,443.

They plan to use their winnings to pay bills and make car and home repairs.

Education programs in Brunswick County received $6.3 million in support from lottery funds last year. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.