Mega Millions jackpot holds Lynn’s attention

LYNN – The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are slim – one in roughly 175 million – but for many Lynn residents, spending a dollar on hope is worth it.”You can’t win unless you play,” said Paul Mccormack, a Lynn resident who stopped by the 7-Eleven in Wyoma Square on Tuesday to purchase tickets.He decided to increase his odds by spending $10 on Mega Millions tickets.”I only buy when (the jackpot) starts to get big,” said Mccormack.”I don’t throw my money around on this. But when it’s up to this much, I think you’d be foolish not to play.”The Mega Millions jackpot was expected to reach $355 million by Tuesday night’s drawing, the third highest prize in Mega Millions history, according to the Lottery. The current estimated cash option is $224.2 million.”That’s a heck of a lot of money,” said Mccormack, who adds that if he won the jackpot he would be in “much better shape” than he is now since he lost his job a few months ago.The jackpot grew thanks to energetic sales in Massachusetts and 41 other states. There has been no grand-prize winner since November.Lynn resident Angelo Martignetti stopped by the 7-Eleven to purchase his fifth ticket, he said.”I was in here this morning and I bought four tickets,” said Martignetti.He decided to make his second trip to the store to buy his fifth and final ticket while he was on the way to pick his son up from school.”I was in the area and figured I could up my chances,” he said.If he won, Martignetti says he would pay his house off, take care of his kids and spend the rest on “giving back.””I would give a lot to charities,” he said. “I would spread (the money) around to places that need it most.”Kevin Brenegin stopped by Cal’s News Store, on Central Avenue in Lynn, to buy a ticket after he heard on the radio how much the jackpot was up to. “I know the odds aren’t in my favor, but I figured I’d give it a shot,” said Brenegin, who purchased one ticket.”All you need is one,” he said, adding that he was feeling lucky.”If I won, I’d retire and head to Hawaii,” he said.Residents Fred Peck and Thomas Anthony also bought tickets at Cal’s.Peck said winning would allow him to “help some people.””I’ve been involved with animal rights, welfare issues and veteran services,” said Peck. “I would give a lot to support those issues.”Anthony said if he won he would help his family and do a lot of charity work. “My family would be taken care of,” he said. “Then I would do the humanitarian thing and definitely give back.”Massachusetts Lottery agents were expected to sell about $5 million in tickets on Tuesday alone. Yearly ticket sales raise $11 million for Bay State cities and towns, according to a statement from the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission.Barry Nardone, an employee at Cal’s, said when the jackpot grows, so does the line for buying tickets.”We’ve been very busy,” said Nardone. “People are excited.”He said he’s seen customers purchasing up to 100 tickets at a whack, but buying in bulk typically means the customers are part of a pool at their work.”Work pools are very common,” he said. “People who buy a lot of tickets are usually planning on splitting it up with other employees if they win.”Mega Millions drawings air every Tuesday and Friday during the 11 p.m. newscast on WCVB-TV Ch. 5.