Carrie Edwards of Midlothian, Virginia, experienced a life-changing moment when she won $150,000 in the lottery, and her response was heartfelt and generous.
During a press conference, Edwards explained that as soon as she realized she had won, she instinctively knew what to do with the money. She shared, “The moment I received that divine windfall upon my shoulders, I knew exactly what was needed—I had to give it all away. I’ve been so blessed, and I wanted this to serve as an example for others—to show that when people are blessed, they can bless others in return.”
Her lottery victory occurred on September 8, thanks to a playful interaction with her phone’s ChatGPT app. She jokingly asked the AI for some numbers, saying, “ChatGPT, talk to me… Do you have some numbers for me?” Remarkably, her playful request resulted in matching four of the first five numbers plus the Powerball. By choosing to pay an extra dollar for Power Play, her prize amount was tripled from $50,000 to $150,000.
Initially, Edwards was skeptical when she received the notification about her winnings. “I was in a meeting and saw a message that said, ‘Please collect your lottery winnings,’ and I thought, ‘This must be a scam—I didn’t win,’” she recalled with a laugh. But once she verified that the claim was legitimate, her heart dictated how she should use the funds.
Her first choice was to donate to a cause close to her heart—the AFTD (The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration)—honoring her late husband, who tragically passed away from the disease in 2024.
Next, she contributed to Shalom Farms, a regenerative farm based in Richmond. She praised their work, saying, “They truly understand that we’re all responsible for supporting one another—caring for our community and helping those who lack what we have. Their focus on food justice and food equity makes a real difference.”
Lastly, Edwards donated to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, a charity very meaningful to her because her father was a fighter pilot, and it was his favorite charity.
For Edwards, the most meaningful part of her win wasn’t the money itself, but the act of giving. She expressed, “This unexpected windfall will help those in need, and that’s what truly matters to me. The joy is in sharing what I’ve been blessed with.”
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