Lottery Facebook fans hope to help family and friends, support meaningful causes and travel with Powerball winnings

CONCORD, N.H. – With the New Hampshire Powerball jackpot projected to reach $500 million for tonight’s drawing, the New Hampshire Lottery has been asking its Facebook fans to list the top 10 things they would do if they won the Powerball jackpot. Perhaps reflective of New Hampshire residents’ willingness to think of others first, a majority of players indicated their first priority, if they won, would be to help out friends and family and to support meaningful causes and charities. Along with helping others, many respondents wrote that they would buy a new home, pay off bills, buy a vacation home, buy a new car or take an extended vacation.

“With this now the fourth largest Powerball jackpot on record, it is a ton of fun to imagine what you would do with $500 million!” said Charlie McIntyre, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Lottery Commission. “It is wonderful to see so many prospective winners thinking of others first. Thankfully, with $500 million, the lucky winner would have plenty of money to take care of the people and causes they care about and take that extended vacation at any number of tropical destinations. Get your tickets now to get in on the fun and excitement! Here’s hoping for a big New Hampshire Powerball winner!”

The Powerball jackpot has been growing since November 4, 2015, and sales and interest have spiked in a big way, particularly as the jackpot has grown from $300 million in the drawing on December 28, 2015, to $500 million for tonight’s drawing. The $500 million jackpot is the sixth largest jackpot of any lottery game in U.S. history. The one-time cash payout is projected to increase to $306 million. (Estimated jackpot amounts are before taxes).

The Powerball drawing results from January 2 were: 5-6-15-29-42 PB-10 with a Power Play of 2.

According to the New Hampshire Lottery Facebook poll, Kathy Mallard wrote that, after pinching herself to make sure she was awake, she would get on her knees to give thanks, call her kids, pay off debt for herself and her children and take the first family vacation with her kids and grandkids. Connie Lemon Puglisi wrote she would probably pass out and then she would think about the other nine things she would do with the money. Susan Foster wrote simply that, if she won, she would “make a lot of people HAPPY!”

To read all responses, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/NewHampshireLottery.

Here’s what other New Hampshire Lottery fans had to say:

“Contact my accountant, check out what stocks I want to invest in, pay off bills, have my 17-year-old car (which I intend to keep) thoroughly checked out and brought up to A-one condition. Anonymously donate to my 5 favorite charities, purchase a small summer home on a lake, and sit back and relax for a change.” – Marilyn Freeman

“First thing is to sign the back of my ticket. Donate to St. Jude's & other charities, help out my family, close friends & buy a house in a warmer climate hate the winters in NH..take some trips with family.. Travel.” – Laurie Fortier

“I would buy a house with an in-law attachment so I could move my gram gram in with me! That way I could give her the love and support like she has always given me! Then provide money for my sons college education!” – Jeanne Hibbard-Bickford

The largest Powerball jackpot in history was $590.5 million, which was won on May 18, 2013, in Florida. Powerball tickets are on sale at more than 1,250 retailers in New Hampshire until 9:50 p.m. tonight. Powerball tickets cost $2 per play. Drawings are held Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11:00 PM.