Stakes High Amid Very Slim Odds: Peninsula Residents Try for a Chance at a Mega Millions Lottery Gol

Mar 06, 12:01 PM

Current Headlines: By Shenequa Golding, Daily Press, Newport News, Va.

Mar. 6--Provided that she buys the winning ticket, Carrie Thigpen, of Hampton plans to put her Mega Million jackpot to good use.

"With a jackpot that high, you get kind of tempted," said Thigpen. "I'm a Christian and if I win, I plan on paying my tithes."

It would be a miracle if she won.

According to the Mega Millions Media Center, the chance of securing the $355 million jackpot is 1 in 176 million. Tonight's drawing is the largest since the game changed in May 2002 from the Big Game. The largest Big Game jackpot was $363 million in May 2000.

Wanda Hopson, assistant manager at an On the Run convenience store, said she has noticed an increase in lottery purchases. She said the Mercury Boulevard store now sells $1,300 to $1,500 a day since the jackpot began flirting with its record. She said that if she wins, sharing her wealth would be the first thing on her mind.

"I told my co-workers if I did win they would all get a million," she said. "I would also go on a couple of trips first and let it all sink in and just spend, spend, spend."

Bob Knight of Hampton and some of his co-workers are taking a more aggressive approach.

"Were buying 100 to 120 tickets between us because we want to quit work," said Knight, who works at a Chrysler dealership.

Mega Millions is played in Georgia, California, Texas, Virginia, New York, Ohio, Michigan, Massachusetts, Maryland, Illinois and Washington state. The jackpot begins at $12 million and can grow to any amount.

The gargantuan lottery amount does not, however, affect everyone. Shana Jackson of Hampton doesn't plan to buy a ticket -- despite the jackpot and the hoopla. "I'm not a lucky person," said Jackson. "That's why I don't play."

And Lorie Feather of Hampton didn't seem too impressed by the jackpot. If she wins, she said she wouldn't let the money alter her life. "I wouldn't change very much," she said. "I wouldn't quit my job or anything."

With $355 million, and very slim chances of wining, Hopson said whomever gets the winning ticket should be more than just a lucky person. He or she should be a blessing in disguise to others.

"That's too much money to even try to hold on to."

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Copyright (c) 2007, Daily Press, Newport News, Va.

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