North Carolina Man Overwhelmed with Joy After $2 Million Lottery Win

A Moment of Pure Elation

Imagine walking into your local convenience store on an ordinary Tuesday morning, only to walk out as a millionaire. This is the incredible story of Sheldon McDougald, a man from Broadway, North Carolina, who had the good fortune of winning a staggering $2 million in the lottery. The moment he realized his life-changing win, he couldn't help but share his joy with the store clerk who sold him the lucky ticket.

The Day That Changed Everything

McDougald's usual stop at the Circle K convenience store on Broadway Road in Sanford was anything but ordinary that fateful Tuesday. On a whim, he decided to purchase a ticket for the North Carolina Lottery's "$2,000,000 Riches" scratch-off game. Little did he know that this spur-of-the-moment decision would set off waves of jubilation not just for himself, but also for those around him.

When McDougald scratched off his ticket to reveal the $2 million top prize, disbelief and excitement washed over him. Unable to contain his happiness, he approached the cashier who had sold him the ticket and pulled her into an embrace. "I went up to the clerk and gave her a hug," he remembered later. "I was just like, 'It can't be.' Two million, I couldn't believe it."

The Aftermath of the Big Win

Even when McDougald visited the Lottery headquarters in Raleigh to collect his prize, it hadn't quite sunk in. He chuckled with the Lottery staff, saying, "It's always a good time to win some money." He was given the choice between a one-time lump sum of $1.2 million or annual payments of $100,000 over 20 years. McDougald opted for the lump sum and, after federal and state taxes, walked away with a total of $864,126.

"It feels good," he admitted. "Anybody can win." As for his plans for the windfall, he intends to invest wisely and take care of his family.

The Lottery Game Continues

McDougald's win leaves just one more top prize of $2 million from the four originally available when the "$2,000,000 Riches" game was launched in May 2023. Additionally, there are two second-tier prizes of $100,000 and two third-tier prizes of $10,000 left to claim. The odds of winning any prize in this game stand at 1 in 3.2.

This heartening tale serves as a reminder that luck can strike when you least expect it. For Sheldon McDougald and the store clerk who sold him the winning ticket, it was truly a day to remember.