Virginia woman donates $150,000 Powerball prize to charity: ‘I needed to give it all away’

Carrie Edwards, a widow and grandma, gave the money to dementia research, food access and aid for military families

Carrie Edwards of Virginia wasn't the big winner when she won $150,000 playing the Powerball recently - instead, that honor went to dementia research, food access and support for military families, the charitable causes to which she donated her entire prize.

Edwards, described by lottery officials as a widow and grandmother, has gained praise in parts of the web dedicated to finding uplifting news stories - along with the charities benefiting from her windfall - after buying an online ticket for the Powerball drawing on 8 September.