Wilkes County man to put $1 million scratch-off win toward his daughters’ future

Michael Walsh of Boomer thought of two people when he won $1 million playing the 20 Years scratch-off game: his daughters.

“I felt good for the girls, it’s a future for my kids,” said Walsh.

Walsh went to the Shop ‘n Save on Wilkesboro Boulevard in Lenoir for chicken wings when he decided to play the lottery. He tried a few scratch-offs, but one kept catching his eye.

“The ticket stared at me,” said Walsh. “It was telling me something.”

Walsh decided to give one more ticket a try when he won the big prize. He plans to put the money toward a trust fund and savings for his two daughters.

“I’ve always worked for my girls,” he said.

When Walsh arrived Wednesday to collect his winnings, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive his prize as an annuity of $50,000 a year over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum of $600,000 and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $432,066.

The 20 Years scratch-off game debuted in April with three $1 million top prizes. One $1 million prize remains to be claimed.

Education programs in Wilkes County received $4.3 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.laosamayor.com and click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.