Jerry Hicks, a longtime resident of Banner Elk, North Carolina, recently turned a simple act of luck into a life-changing win after picking up a $20 (P1,200) bill in a Speedway parking lot. The unexpected discovery led him to buy a $25 (P1,500) Extreme Cash scratch-off ticket from the North Carolina Education Lottery, ultimately winning him a $1 million (P58,364,500) prize.
“I found $20 in the parking lot outside the Speedway. I used that to buy the ticket,” Hicks shared with lottery officials, noting that he chose a different ticket than planned when his preferred option was unavailable.
Excited by his unexpected windfall, Hicks said he would be celebrating at Golden Corral, his favorite all-you-can-eat buffet, and planned to “eat everything they’ve got.” As for his prize, he opted for a lump sum of $600,000 (P35,004,900) and, after taxes, took home $429,007 (over P25,000).
After 56 years as a master carpenter, Hicks intends to retire and support his family with his winnings, marking a joyful turning point in his life.
