What would you do if you suddenly won a lottery prize of no less than $150,000? There are many possible answers to that question; it’s as simple as letting your imagination run wild. However, Carrie Edwards knew right away: she wanted to donate her entire prize! This event took place in Midlothian, Virginia, where, after consulting ChatGPT, Edwards correctly guessed 5 out of 6 numbers in the Powerball lottery. After receiving the news, she knew she wanted to divide her prize into three equal parts and donate it to non-profit organizations that had special meaning to her.
First, to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), which is dedicated to researching this disease and providing support to the families of those who suffer from it. This was especially personal, as she lost her husband, Steve Edwards, to this disease in December 2024. Second, she chose Shalom Farms, where she volunteers every week planting and harvesting fair trade fruits and vegetables in Richmond. Finally, she chose the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, which provides assistance to active military personnel, veterans, and their families.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
This could be one of the questions we have asked ourselves most often, at least those of us who do not have enough money to have to worry about large expenses. Buy a house, pay off the mortgage, buy a car, travel, pay for college, stop working… There are as many options as there are people in the world. However, one of the options that is perhaps not considered as much is donating. And I’m not talking about donating a portion, no, I’m talking about donating the entire prize. It is, of course, a gesture of immeasurable generosity and kindness, but realistically, some people cannot afford to do so.
The story of Carrie Edwards
When she received the notification from the agency to collect her prize, she thought it was a scam. Winning $150,000 is no joke, but when it happens to us, we think it’s a joke. Edwards, a resident of Midlothian, Virginia, decided to ask Chat GPT which numbers she should bet on in the Powerball lottery.
So, on September 8, she bet on the AI’s recommendation, with an additional dollar for the PowerPlay, which turned the initial prize of $50,000 into $150,000! “As soon as that divine blessing happened and fell on my shoulders, I knew exactly what to do with it. Because I have been so blessed, and I want this to be an example of how other people, when they are blessed, can bless others,” the woman said.
A true gesture of generosity
As soon as she received the award, Edwards knew what she wanted to do with it. She wanted to donate it. She divided the prize into three equal parts, $50,000 each, and chose three associations that were meaningful to her. First, she chose the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), which supports research and provides resources to families affected by early-onset dementia.
This choice was intrinsically motivated, as her husband Steve Edwards passed away on December 31, 2024, from this disease. In her statement to 12 On Your Side, she said, “This cause is deeply personal. I wanted this gift to shine a light on the families who are struggling with this disease and on the researchers who are working to find a cure.” Second, she chose Shalom Farms, a nonprofit organization focused on ensuring a fair food system in Richmond. It is a farm where she volunteers every week, so she knows its needs well. “We harvest, plant, bless the food, take it to market, talk to people”.
Last but not least, she chose the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, which provides financial, educational, and emergency assistance to active military personnel, veterans, and their families. Without a doubt, all of Edward’s choices are more than fair and necessary. According to the lottery winner herself, “I feel blessed that this unexpected lottery prize can serve a greater purpose”. Sometimes that’s the best prize of all.