Shameka Waller of Charlotte has spent the past year and a half caring for patients during the coronavirus pandemic. Now, with a lottery win to the tune of a $216,614 Cash 5 jackpot, she says she can do even more to help her community.
Waller’s story of good luck began Monday night when she decided to try something new.
While getting ready for bed, Waller visited the lottery’s website, signed up for Online Play and bought her first Cash 5 ticket.
“I don’t play the lottery that often,” said Waller. “I always see the tickets at the gas station, but just don’t have time to stop and play, especially with a baby.”
Telling herself, ‘You can’t win if you don’t play,’ Waller said she saw that she could purchase a few draw games online, including Cash 5. After seeing how simple it was to create an account, she signed up and purchased her first Cash 5 ticket using some very special numbers.
Waller decided to select her own five numbers based upon the birthdates of her family – her son, her daughter, and herself. Little did she know, that decision to play Cash 5 for the first time and pick those exact numbers that held such special meaning to her – 1-2-4-11-16 – would bring her a jackpot that same night.
The next day, Waller logged into her Online Play account to check and see how much she had won. She said when she saw all the zeros, she couldn’t believe it and immediately started telling her family.
Waller claimed her prize Wednesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required tax withholdings, she took home $153,255.
“This win, it’s just great for so many reasons,” said Waller, a clinical advising nurse and mother of two. “I know what I want to do – I want to continue to serve people in need. I want to start a business that helps elderly, bed-bound patients get access to testing and treatment for COVID-19.”
Congratulations, Shameka!
Friday night’s jackpot is $138,000. Tickets are $1 and, like Shameka, you can purchase your tickets online or at a retail location.
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