Nothing can be more heartwarming than inspirational cases of winners who have managed to change their lives and those of others who surround them for the better. Do you think we mean winners of the world championships? You are not even close! We are here to present fascinating stories of individuals who were lucky enough to become lottery jackpot winners. Have you ever read discouraging posts about some curse victims and how they say, “Buying a lottery ticket is not worth it”? There is always another side to the subject. However, now we are going to concentrate on the positive aspects of the enterprise. It’s time for some success stories!
There is no question as to if people are winning while gambling. If you are a regular player, you must have won, or if not, been close to a big win. Since you’re conversant with iGaming, you might have had tales of those who have enjoyed winning exciting rewards from slot games like Sweet Bonanza. Who knows? You can be the next in line; stay motivated with stories of other jackpot winners. Do you want to find out how they have helped their immediate environment? Let’s learn everything here!
Success Stories About Mouth-Watering Jackpot Wins
This section details six adventurous stories of winners who used their earnings to make a positive difference in their community. While they had won large amounts of money, each winner chose to act unselfishly. Rather, they used their fortunes for the good of others.
Neal Wanless and His Powerball Ticket
Neal Wanless was going through the worst phase of his life in 2009. He was a cowboy but could not afford basic repairs around his ranch. He sold scrap metal for the little cash he could get. Likewise, he lived in South Dakota, a community known for minimal prosperity.
Neal took a risk and spent a fraction of his hard-earned money to buy a Powerball ticket. He spent $5 on five plays, using the birthdates of his family members as his selected numbers. Well, he recorded one of the biggest wins in jackpot history. He paid his taxes and still had about $88.5 million. And what do you think happened next? Not only did he continue his ranch, but also he contributed a major share to his community.
Mother of Five and Her Dream Career
Cynthia P. Stafford had just lost her brother to a drunk driver. The brother had five kids, and Cynthia took them to be hers – hence, she became a single mother of five. Also, she had to support her father to provide for the family. You understand how large their family was, but you cannot even imagine how tiny the house they lived in used to be.
She had always dreamed of winning as much as $112 million since 2004. Ever since, she has attempted different efforts to win the exact amount. Three years later, she won the amount she had always dreamed of.
Not only did she solve her family’s financial problems, but she also started a film company to pursue her dream career. Want to know how she won? She made her win by buying tickets several times in a month. She chose any number that came to her head. As such, she won her long-wished $112 million.
Pearlie Mae Smith Family and Their Windfall
Pearlie Mae Smith’s family had seven children. They volunteered to work in community gardens and soup kitchens to give back to their community. When the family earned the $429 million Powerball jackpot, they knew their windfall was for their immediate environment.
It is important to say that the reward was equally shared among all the family members. Not all stopped working, but they all contributed to their society. They began the Smith Family Foundation in Trenton, New Jersey. The goal was to provide funds for local organizations that are in the neighborhood. The foundation supported people’s education, community development, and youth empowerment in their region.
Les Robins and His 226 Acres of Camp Winnegator
Les Robins was a high school teacher before his $111 million win. He was concerned about how the academic standards had dropped compared to when he was a student. He reiterated how students do not participate in some activities like playing sports, swimming, camping, and even outdoor events.
Upon his win, he created his camp for the children to engage in several exciting activities. He established Camp Winnegator on 226 acres and ran it for over ten years. Children only needed to pay a token to ride horses, swim, make crafts, and play on the lake. Also, it was a good excursion location for basic schools.
Sheelah Ryan, the Millionaire
In the Florida State Lottery, Sheelah Ryan had just won $52 million. She believed she won that amount for a reason – to be charitable towards others. She established a group that catered to the needs of the underprivileged.
Unfortunately, she died of cancer six years after her win, but her charitable organization continued. They administered grants, helped sick children with medical bills, and provided homes for several families in Seminole County, Florida.
The Legacy of Angels
The Legacy of Angels was created by Paul and Sue Rosenau as an awareness group to sensitize people about Krabbe Disease. In 2008, the couple won $181.2 million. They purchased their ticket five years to the birth of Makayla; their granddaughter, who died of a rare health condition.
The disease is not a common condition among newborns. Hence, many people are oblivious of how deadly it is. Krabbe disease is a critical health condition that affects the nervous system of a newborn. Often, the child dies before they are even two months old.
As such, Pau and Sue started their foundation, where they served as the board of directors. Their goal was to save other families from the unpleasant experience they had. They committed a huge amount of money for medical experts to research possible treatments for the situation.
Other famous generous winners include:
- Tom Crist;
- Pastor Solomon Jackson Jr.;
- Ray and Barbara Wragg;
- Bob Erb.
Winning to Help Others
You will agree that winning to help others is a common practice by most lottery jackpot winners. The six names mentioned above are only a few out there. If you are considering giving up on gambling, this should help you stay motivated. Tomorrow might just be your lucky day. Keep playing, and you may be able to help others.