Lerynne West truly has inspired us all in claiming her Powerball jackpot and announcing plans to make a difference for others.
The central-Iowa woman stood at the podium today at lottery headquarters in Clive and said she knows she’s had a life-changing moment. She said she’s excited to share her winnings with family and friends, to purchase a new car, and to take a long vacation -- or several.
The 51-year-old Redfield woman and her family also have established a charitable foundation to help causes important to them. The Callum Foundation is named after West’s grandson, Callum, who was born prematurely in April and lived just a day. The charitable foundation (www.callumfoundation.org) will be focused on making grants in the core areas of alleviating poverty and hunger; education; animal welfare; and veteran’s affairs.
West said that once it is fully established, the Callum Foundation will begin accepting requests for help in 2019.
She said that she and her three daughters daydreamed for years about winning the lottery, and the plans they ultimately put together are a result of all that dreaming.
West’s ticket split the Powerball jackpot in the Oct. 27 drawing with a ticket purchased in New York City. Her half of the jackpot – the third-largest prize in the 26-year history of the game – is $343.9 million annuity, or $198.1 million lump-sum option. The New York ticket has yet to be claimed.
West bought her jackpot-winning ticket at Casey’s, 425 Second St. in Redfield, a Dallas County community of about 830, where she recently bought a house. She was moving into her new home on Oct. 26 and she and her sister stopped at Casey’s for pizza and coffee. While they were there, West bought an easy-pick Powerball ticket. And the rest, as they say, is history.
West is Iowa’s ninth Powerball jackpot winner.
Prize Details
Annuity
Payments Totaling: $343.9 million
The annuity total would be paid in 30 graduated payments over 29 years. Federal withholding of 24 percent and state withholding of 5 percent would be applied to each payment.
Chosen To Receive As Lump-Sum Option
Prize: $198.1 million
Federal Withholding: $47.5 million (24 percent)
State Withholding: $9.9 million (5 percent)
After-tax prize: $140.6 million
Sounds like she has good plans. I lost my adopted son to cystic fibrosis 23 years ago. It is one of those wounds that never heals.
Posted by: Lewis Cassill | November 11, 2018 at 09:05 AM
I'm so happy for you! Congratulations on your win, maybe some day it will be me!
Posted by: monica reese | November 09, 2018 at 08:54 PM
I saw this story,and good for her! Its so awesome that this jackpot DID NOT go to somebody who is a millionaire already!! How great it is she plans to include others in her new fortune! Good for her! Congrats!
Posted by: Pat Danner | November 05, 2018 at 05:42 PM