N.J. mom claims $212 million, praises God

Just as the latest Powerball jackpot rolled over to $212 million, a New Jersey woman has claimed the March 13 jackpot, whose annuity prize also was $212 million.

Sandra McNeil's ticket had the cash option, though, so she'll get $101.6 million, before taxes, according to New Jersey Lottery spokesman Dominick DeMarco.

The middle-aged school board member bought her winning ticket at a deli in Morris Plains, about 20 miles northwest of Newark.

"I give God all the glory for this blessing that He has given to me," she said, according to a statement released by the New Jersey Lottery. "He has seen and knows the highs and lows of my life, and knows the good I have done, and the good I hope I can continue to accomplish in His name."

With the win, New Jersey became the first state to have sold jackpot winners in both Powerball and Mega Millions, according to DeMarco.

More than 30 states, including Pennsylvania and Delaware, began selling both games at the end of January.

Mega Millions has $122 million jackpot on the line tonight, while the drawing for Powerball's $212 million will be tomorrow night.

McNeil's win, though, wasn't the first - or even the biggest - in Powerball by a New Jersey resident. Steven and Kristine White of Skillman, Somerset County, collected $110 million cash - before taxes - after hitting the May 8, 2004, jackpot by buying a ticket in Bucks County. That prize is still the biggest ever won in Pennsylvania.

The biggest take ever in New Jersey was $156 million - cash - by Harold and Helen Lerner of Rutherford, Bergen County, who hit a September 2005 jackpot with an annuity worth $258 million. Bigger jackpots have been hit, but they were split.

Fifteen Mega Millions jackpots have been hit by New Jersey residents.

For more lottery information, go to www.philly.com/philly/news/lottery, www.powerball.com or www.megamillions.com.