Friday, February 27, 2004

Local pharmacist wins $175,000 in lottery

A Peachtree City pharmacist is enjoying a dose of mega luck.

Gerald “Jerry” Messer matched the first five winning numbers in the Feb. 17 Mega Millions drawing and won $175,000.

Mr. Messer purchased his Quik Pik ticket at Braelinn Village Chevron at 1239 Robinson Rd. in Peachtree City. The winning numbers for the Feb. 17 Mega Millions drawing were: 2-8-34-36-52 and the Gold Mega Ball was 21.

Mr. Messer watched the drawing but was not sure if he saw the numbers correctly. He called his wife, who was visiting her mother, and learned that she had written down the draw results. After reviewing the numbers with her, Mr. Messer realized that he won $175,000.

“My wife wants a convertible,” he said. “I’m going to buy myself some new golf clubs.”

In addition, they plan to pay bills, save for retirement and put money aside for college for their three children - Justin, 18, Jennifer, 16, and Jeff, 14.

The Messers already considered themselves lottery winners since Justin has received a lottery-funded HOPE scholarship to attend Shorter College in Rome in the fall.

“We’ve got two more coming who’re going to need the HOPE scholarship,” said Mr. Messer.

“It’s such a good incentive for the kids to perform well,” his wife added.

As with all other Georgia Lottery games, proceeds from Mega Millions will benefit education in Georgia. Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corporation has returned over $6 billion to the state of Georgia for education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs. These include Georgia’s HOPE scholarship program; a statewide, voluntary pre-kindergarten program for four-year-olds; and a wide range of technological and capital upgrades for the state’s schools, technical institutes, colleges, universities and public libraries.


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