Virginia Grandmother Turns Lottery Win into Blessing for Others
In a remarkable display of generosity, a Virginia grandmother who won big with the help of ChatGPT decided to share her entire windfall with causes close to her heart. Carrie Edwards from Midlothian matched four of the first five Powerball numbers plus the Powerball in the September 8 drawing, initially winning $50,000. Thanks to her Power Play option purchase, that prize tripled to $150,000. What makes her story extraordinary isn’t just how she won, but what she chose to do with her unexpected fortune.
Upon realizing she had won, Edwards didn’t hesitate about her next steps. “I knew I needed to give it all away, because I’ve been so blessed, and I want this to be an example of how other people, when they’re blessed, can bless other people,” she explained during a news conference. This retired PR executive’s decision reflects a deep personal philosophy about generosity and community support. Rather than splurging on herself, Edwards saw the lottery win as an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in causes that had touched her life in profound ways.
Her first donation went to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), an organization devoted to research, education, and family resources for those affected by early-onset dementia. This choice was deeply personal for Edwards, whose husband Steve, a firefighter and father, had died from the disease. Her timely donation coincided with World FTD Awareness Week in late September, helping to shine a light on families battling this condition and supporting researchers working toward finding a cure. “This cause is deeply personal,” Edwards shared, her contribution serving as both a memorial to her husband and a beacon of hope for others facing similar struggles.
Edwards also directed part of her winnings to Shalom Farms, a nonprofit farm and food justice organization in Richmond that distributes over 400,000 servings of fresh produce annually to communities in need. “Her gift will ensure that families throughout Richmond continue to have access to high-quality, affordable fresh produce,” noted Anna Ibrahim, executive director of Shalom Farms. The third recipient of Edwards’ generosity was the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), which provides financial, educational, and emergency assistance to active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. This donation honored her father, Captain Peter Swanson, a Navy fighter pilot remembered for his “life of service and generosity.” According to the NMCRS, “He and his wife instilled in their children the importance of giving back, making giving to NMCRS a family tradition. Now, with Carrie’s extraordinary gift, the Swanson family’s commitment grows even stronger — ensuring Sailors, Marines, and their families receive the vital support they deserve.”
The story of how Edwards came to win is almost as interesting as her charitable decisions. In a moment of inspiration, she turned to artificial intelligence for help selecting her numbers. “I’m like, ‘Hey, ChatGPT, talk to me… Do you have numbers for me?'” she recalled. Though ChatGPT reminded her that lottery outcomes are based on luck, she decided to go with the suggested numbers anyway. Two days later, while in a meeting, she received a notification to collect her lottery winnings. Initially skeptical and thinking it might be a scam, Edwards verified the win through her online account. It was her first time purchasing a lottery ticket online through the Virginia Lottery’s mobile app, making the experience even more surprising.
Khalid Jones, executive director of the Virginia Lottery, expressed delight at seeing Edwards’ prize being shared with worthy causes, noting that lottery profits in Virginia already support K-12 public education in the Commonwealth. Edwards summarized her philosophy behind the donations, explaining that the three organizations represent healing, service, and community for her. “Shalom Farms heals through food and soil, AFTD brings hope through research, and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society carries forward the tradition of supporting military families in times of need,” she said. In a world where lottery winners often make headlines for extravagant purchases or subsequent financial troubles, Edwards stands out as an example of how unexpected good fortune can be transformed into widespread community benefit. “I feel blessed that this unexpected lottery win could serve a greater purpose,” she reflected, her story reminding us all of the power of generosity and the ripple effects of giving back.
