Melvin Harrington of Benson said he plans to get his dream home after he won $200,000 playing Powerball.

“I want to get something with a big kitchen,” Harrington said.

He beat odds of one in 913,129 to win the prize in last Wednesday’s drawing. His ticket was one of six in North Carolina to win a $200,000 prize.

Harrington said he had just finished getting a sandwich when he passed by the Food Lion on East Parrish Drive in Benson. He decided to stop and get a $3 Power Play ticket.

“It’s actually the first time I’ve ever gotten a Power Play ticket,” Harrington said. “Normally, I only get the $2 ticket, but something told me I should get the Power Play.”

When Harrington checked the numbers the next day, he was glad he did.

“At first I thought I had only won $50,000,” he said. “But then I saw that the multiplier was four, and I realized I won $200,000. It’s amazing! I still can’t believe it.”

Harrington claimed the prize Wednesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required state and federal withholdings, he took home $139,002.

Ticket sales from draw games like Powerball make it possible for the lottery to raise more than half a billion dollars a year for the state. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, click on the “For Education” section of the lottery’s website.