North Carolina Man Buys Thanksgiving Turkeys With Lottery Win

NORTH CAROLINA — Last week, when William Bailey of Weddington realized he won a nearly $168,000 lottery prize playing the Cash 5 jackpot, his first instinct was to start spending it.

“Tonight, as soon as I get back, we’re gonna go to the grocery store and we’re gonna buy Thanksgiving dinners,” Bailey said, according to North Carolina Education Lottery. "At least 10 or 20 turkeys and we’re gonna put everything together in a box and we’re gonna find people to give them to that need it. I want my grandboys to do it because I want them to know what it feels like to help somebody.”

Bailey and his wife Hazel won the prize after he bought a winning ticket Sunday, Nov. 22 using Online Play on the lottery's website.

According to lottery officials, he used his own numbers for that night’s drawing.

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It wasn't until the next day that he and his wife realized they won. “I turned my computer around to my wife and showed her and she kind of looked and then she screamed!” he told lottery officials.

The Baileys traveled to Raleigh the day before Thanksgiving to claim the prize money, which was $118,755 after federal and state taxes. The couple said that in addition to buying the turkeys, they intended to use the proceeds for Christmas, and helping family and their church, with remaining money going into a savings accounts earmarked for their grandchildren's college.

“It feels really good knowing that we can help some people,” Bailey said. “Just to be here today is a blessing.”