Carrie Edwards, a grandmother from Virginia, used ChatGPT to pick her Powerball numbers and won $150,000. Instead of keeping the prize, she donated it all to charity. Learn more about her generous donations and the causes she supports.
In a heartwarming story of generosity, Carrie Edwards, a grandmother from Midlothian, Virginia, won an incredible $150,000 from the Virginia Lottery after using ChatGPT to help her pick Powerball numbers. But rather than keeping the money for herself, Carrie made the selfless decision to donate the entire amount to charity.
The Winning Numbers
Carrie, who had never before used AI to pick her lottery numbers, turned to ChatGPT for help ahead of the September 8 Powerball drawing. “I’m like, ‘Hey, ChatGPT, talk to me. … Do you have numbers for me?’” she recalled. While the chatbot mentioned that winning the lottery is all about luck, Carrie decided to go with the numbers it generated.
Two days after purchasing her ticket, Carrie received a notification informing her that she had won $50,000. Since she had also chosen the Power Play option, her winnings were tripled to a whopping $150,000.
A Selfless Donation
Despite her newfound wealth, Carrie felt compelled to give every dollar of her prize to charitable causes that had personal significance to her. “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 said.
Carrie’s first donation went to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting research and education for those affected by early-onset dementia. Carrie’s late husband, Steve, who worked as a firefighter, passed away after battling the disease, making this cause deeply personal to her.
Supporting Local Communities and Veterans
Next, Carrie chose to donate to Shalom Farms, a nonprofit focused on food justice in Richmond. Shalom Farms provides fresh produce to communities in need, serving over 400,000 servings each year. Carrie, who also volunteers at the farm, was praised for her years of dedication to the cause. The organization wrote on Facebook, “Carrie has poured her time and energy into our work for years, and her generosity reflects the same spirit she brings as a volunteer.”
Carrie’s third and final donation went to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), which supports active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. This donation was made in honor of her father, Captain Peter Swanson, a Navy fighter pilot. NMCRS expressed gratitude for the gift, noting that it would help provide vital assistance to military families.
A Powerful Legacy of Giving
Carrie Edwards’ donations have shown that even unexpected blessings can serve a greater purpose. “Shalom Farms heals through food and soil, AFTD brings hope through research, and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society carries forward the tradition of supporting military families in times of need,” she said.
Khalid Jones, executive director of the Virginia Lottery, praised Carrie’s generosity, saying, “All of us at the Lottery are delighted to see this prize being shared with worthy causes, due to the wonderful generosity of Carrie Edwards.”
