A North Carolina veteran who won a $10 million jackpot plans to use his winnings to honor his late son.
Retired Marine Master Sgt. Alvin Mack II, of Jacksonville, calls the money he won from a $30 Supreme Riches ticket “a blessing,” WFMY reported. He bought the winning ticket at a Publix in Jacksonville, lottery officials said in a news release.
Mack retired after 20 years of military service in May, the television station reported. It was the same month his 19-year-old son, Alvin Mack III, died. The younger Mack served in the Air Force Honor Guard at Virginia’s Arlington National Cemetery, North Carolina lottery officials said in the release.
“He was my only son and he meant so much to me,” Mack told lottery officials. “I’ve always been a believer of luck, but in this case, I just felt like it was a little bit more than that.”
Mack had the option of taking his $10 million winnings over 20 years, receiving $500,000 annually before taxes, or a lump sum of $6 million, lottery officials said. Mack opted for the lump sum, and after taxes, took home $4,245,009.
A Jacksonville veteran wants to help others in need with his lottery money. https://t.co/LEqnZdZyhI
— WFMY News 2 (@WFMY) November 5, 2020
“I have a tribute room dedicated to my son and I sat with him (Wednesday) night and I just told him, 'Is there anything you want me to do, and I’ll do it,” Mack said. “I believe this is truly a blessing from my son.”
Mack said he will donate to Fisher House Foundation, an organization that builds comfort homes for military families as a residence when a family member is in the hospital, The Jacksonville Daily News reported.
“When I got the word of my son’s passing, I wasn’t financially stable enough to pick up all the costs that were involved,” Mack said. “The Fisher House Foundation donated housing for me and my family to stay during that time. My plan for this money is to donate to the Fisher House Foundation and continue to help others as I can, in my son’s name.”
Mack and his wife also hope to start a scholarship fund for student-athletes to honor their son, who was a high school football quarterback.
The Supreme Riches game launched in April 2019 with four top prizes of $10 million, six prizes of $1 million, and 15 $100,000 prizes. Mack won the last top prize, lottery officials said.
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