In an extraordinary turn of events, Charlotte resident Nickolas Neal and his wife were left speechless after learning that Neal had won a staggering $100,000 Cash 5 jackpot. The lucky $1 Quick Pick ticket, purchased on August 8 from the 7-Eleven on West Trade Street in Charlotte, has turned their dreams into reality.

Neal recalls the moment vividly, stating, “When I checked the ticket my jaw dropped. I got my wife to check the ticket and her jaw dropped as well.” The couple’s disbelief quickly turned into joy as they realized the potential of their windfall.

The Neals are planning to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary in December with a trip to St. Lucia. The jackpot win will be put toward paying for the trip, making it the honeymoon they never went on. “We are planning this trip to be the honeymoon we never went on,” Neal said, reflecting on the unexpected blessing.

After required state and federal tax withholdings, Neal took home $71,252. In addition to the St. Lucia trip, he plans to pay some bills and save the rest of the winnings.

Cash 5 is one of six lottery games in North Carolina, with the odds of winning a Cash 5 jackpot being 1 in 962,598. The lottery’s impact goes beyond individual winners, as ticket sales from draw games like Cash 5 enable the lottery to raise an average of $2.5 million a day for education.

The story of Nickolas Neal’s win is more than just a tale of luck; it’s a testament to the unexpected joys that life can bring. Whether it’s a walk to the local store or a Quick Pick ticket, sometimes the most ordinary moments can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

For those inspired by Neal’s win and interested in the impact of the lottery in Mecklenburg County, more details can be found on the North Carolina Lottery’s website: https://www.nclottery.com/.