Show Me the Money, Double Play, Living Lucky, Money Bags, Powerball, Jackpots and…we have a winner! Despite the odds of winning a jackpot lottery being around one in 14 million and even one in 290 million for the Powerball, people around the country flock to gas stations and supermarkets to try their luck at playing the lottery. Buying everything from Powerball tickets to scratch offs, the lottery has become a huge craze for people looking for a money miracle!
Did you know that your odds of being struck by lightning, getting hit by an asteroid, bowling two perfect games in a row and getting murdered while visiting the Grand Canyon all in the same day have better odds than winning the lottery? Yet, as crazy as it sounds, the lottery is often the last chance some people have to turn their lives around after struggling to find a job, put food on the table or even afford a place to live.
Though the odds of winning the lottery are slim to none, that hasn’t stopped millions of people from forking over a few dollars to take their chance on luck. In fact, it seems that many people who have actually hit the jackpot on scratch offs, lottery or Powerball tickets have been homeless and incredibly down on their luck. So what are their stories and what inspired them to play the lottery? Join us as we take a look at 10 homeless people who overcame the odds and finally hit the jackpot!
#10 – Emily Reyes
Did you know that your odds of being struck by lightning, getting hit by an asteroid, bowling two perfect games in a row and getting murdered while visiting the Grand Canyon all in the same day have better odds than winning the lottery? Yet, as crazy as it sounds, the lottery is often the last chance some people have to turn their lives around after struggling to find a job, put food on the table or even afford a place to live.
Though the odds of winning the lottery are slim to none, that hasn’t stopped millions of people from forking over a few dollars to take their chance on luck. In fact, it seems that many people who have actually hit the jackpot on scratch offs, lottery or Powerball tickets have been homeless and incredibly down on their luck. So what are their stories and what inspired them to play the lottery? Join us as we take a look at 10 homeless people who overcame the odds and finally hit the jackpot!
#10 – Emily Reyes
“Amarillo by morning, up from San Antone. Everything that I’ve got is just what I’ve got on…” Country music legend George Strait was onto something with his hit single “Amarillo by Morning” especially when it came to Emily Reyes whose luck forever changed in her Texas hometown. Living just off the famous Route 66 in a town known for its truck stop steaks, Reyes was part of a growing homeless population when a drug and alcohol habit left her in jail after stealing to support her addiction.
Upon her release from the Amarillo jail, Reyes checked herself into a local homeless shelter where she worked diligently to kick her habit. Six months later and six months sober, she celebrated her success by buying a lottery ticket after building her savings from working odd jobs at the shelter and around town. She played the Texas Two Step lottery and surprised even herself when she matched all four numbers during the Thursday drawing to take home over $200,000. Using the money as a fresh start, Reyes even shared some of her winnings with other women in the shelter in an effort to pay it forward.
#9 – Josh Bryant
Upon her release from the Amarillo jail, Reyes checked herself into a local homeless shelter where she worked diligently to kick her habit. Six months later and six months sober, she celebrated her success by buying a lottery ticket after building her savings from working odd jobs at the shelter and around town. She played the Texas Two Step lottery and surprised even herself when she matched all four numbers during the Thursday drawing to take home over $200,000. Using the money as a fresh start, Reyes even shared some of her winnings with other women in the shelter in an effort to pay it forward.
#9 – Josh Bryant
Affectionately known as “The Windy City,” Chicago, Illinois is the third largest city in the United States and is, unsurprisingly, home to a massive homeless population that makes up over 10 percent of the city. Josh Bryant found himself among Chicago’s homeless after a car accident left him injured and buried in a mountain of medical bills. With only a minimum wage job and no way to make the rent, buy groceries and pay the hospital, Bryant filed bankruptcy and resorted to living on the streets while working odd jobs to make extra money.
Refusing to beg for change and continuing to take whatever work he could find, Bryant happily helped one man move some furniture in exchange for $20 and a lottery ticket. The man gave Bryant a $5 scratch off ticket, which Bryant scratched off using one of his lucky pennies. On the verge of tears and in complete disbelief, Bryant was overwhelmed when he realized the ticket was worth $200,000. Able to repay his debts and move back into an apartment, the young lottery winner is now a fast food manager who inspires his employees with an incredible work ethic and his life-changing story.
#8 – Grant Freeman
Refusing to beg for change and continuing to take whatever work he could find, Bryant happily helped one man move some furniture in exchange for $20 and a lottery ticket. The man gave Bryant a $5 scratch off ticket, which Bryant scratched off using one of his lucky pennies. On the verge of tears and in complete disbelief, Bryant was overwhelmed when he realized the ticket was worth $200,000. Able to repay his debts and move back into an apartment, the young lottery winner is now a fast food manager who inspires his employees with an incredible work ethic and his life-changing story.
#8 – Grant Freeman
Welcome to Sin City! Grant Freeman is a curious addition to our list since there isn’t a state lottery in Nevada because of the wide array of gambling from the casinos on the Las Vegas Strip to the slot machines in gas stations and hotel lobbies! Like so many others, Freeman headed to Sin City with the hopes of striking it rich on The Strip but ended up losing all of his money. With no other choice but to live on streets, Freeman spent most of his days collecting coins from tourists only to dump what little he collected into the slot machines at night.
Tired of panhandling among dozens of other homeless people lining The Strip, Freeman hitchhiked 40 miles west to Nipton, California where he spent $2 worth of pennies on a pair of Mega Millions lottery tickets. With his hopes running high, the odds were finally in his favor when he won $8 on the first ticket and a whopping $180,000 on the second ticket. Having learned his lesson about living in Sin City, Freeman decided to settle down in California where he continues to play the lottery every now and then.
#7 – Darnell Stahl
Tired of panhandling among dozens of other homeless people lining The Strip, Freeman hitchhiked 40 miles west to Nipton, California where he spent $2 worth of pennies on a pair of Mega Millions lottery tickets. With his hopes running high, the odds were finally in his favor when he won $8 on the first ticket and a whopping $180,000 on the second ticket. Having learned his lesson about living in Sin City, Freeman decided to settle down in California where he continues to play the lottery every now and then.
#7 – Darnell Stahl
Definitely not your typical homeless person, Darnell Stahl graduated with a bachelor’s degree from college and went straight to work in Ohio’s bustling automotive industry. Always assuming he would have a job, continuing to spend recklessly and living well beyond his means, Stahl was notified in the early 2000s that he was being laid off. With no savings and his last paycheck already spent, Stahl quickly fell into debt while looking for his next job. After losing both his car and his home, he landed fewer and fewer job interviews with no real hope in sight.
Desperate for help and for his fortune to change, Stahl moved in with his parents when he decided to buy a lottery ticket at a nearby gas station one Saturday night. He played the Rolling Cash 5 game from the Ohio Lottery with the hopes of matching four numbers to win $300. Instead, Stahl matched all five numbers and won the jackpot that was set at over $100,000. Able to purchase his home again and pay his outstanding debts, Stahl is now happily employed and is working to build his savings.
#6 – Vanessa Goode
Desperate for help and for his fortune to change, Stahl moved in with his parents when he decided to buy a lottery ticket at a nearby gas station one Saturday night. He played the Rolling Cash 5 game from the Ohio Lottery with the hopes of matching four numbers to win $300. Instead, Stahl matched all five numbers and won the jackpot that was set at over $100,000. Able to purchase his home again and pay his outstanding debts, Stahl is now happily employed and is working to build his savings.
#6 – Vanessa Goode
Many towns across the United States have surprisingly high homeless populations as is the case in the beautiful capital city of Richmond, Virginia. Five years ago, Vanessa Goode found herself among nearly 300 other homeless women in Richmond when her injuries from combat in the Middle East left her unable to work after her service to the country. Suffering from PTSD and unable to find adequate treatment as a veteran, Goode eventually lost her home and joined hundreds of others living on Richmond’s streets and in supportive housing.
With Goode’s family already struggling financially and unable to accommodate her needs, they ended up giving her more than she ever imagined. As her birthday approached, Goode’s family collected enough money to give her a couple of small presents including a $5 Virginia Lottery scratch off ticket with the hopes of cheering her up and changing her luck. Doing exactly that with a $1 million top prize, Goode scratched off the top cash prize of $150,000 and moved herself and her family into a modest home. She used the rest of the money to help her fellow homeless vets get off the streets and back on their feet.
#5 – Shawn Samuels
With Goode’s family already struggling financially and unable to accommodate her needs, they ended up giving her more than she ever imagined. As her birthday approached, Goode’s family collected enough money to give her a couple of small presents including a $5 Virginia Lottery scratch off ticket with the hopes of cheering her up and changing her luck. Doing exactly that with a $1 million top prize, Goode scratched off the top cash prize of $150,000 and moved herself and her family into a modest home. She used the rest of the money to help her fellow homeless vets get off the streets and back on their feet.
#5 – Shawn Samuels
Recognized as the “Birthplace of Rock and Roll” and the “BBQ Capital of the World,” Memphis, Tennessee has a far different side than music and southern food as its homeless population continues to rise. In 2014, Shawn Samuels experienced this firsthand when he and hundreds of others were laid off at the local Cargill Corporation corn mill. Having no other work experience but at the mill, Samuels fell into a deep depression that was fueled by his alcoholism. He was unable to find work and soon lost his home with barely enough money to get by.
Living on the streets as a panhandler in downtown Memphis, Samuels was headed to the liquor store for yet another bottle of malt liquor when he changed his mind and used the money to play Tennessee’s Cash 4 Life lottery. Samuels hoped to get lucky and win the top prize that paid out $1,000 per day for the rest of the winner’s life. As luck would have it, he missed the first prize but snagged the second, which pays $1,000 per week for the rest of his life. With his winnings totaling more than twice what he made at the mill, it’s safe to say that Samuels is now off the streets and set for life.
#4 – Anthony Murphy
Living on the streets as a panhandler in downtown Memphis, Samuels was headed to the liquor store for yet another bottle of malt liquor when he changed his mind and used the money to play Tennessee’s Cash 4 Life lottery. Samuels hoped to get lucky and win the top prize that paid out $1,000 per day for the rest of the winner’s life. As luck would have it, he missed the first prize but snagged the second, which pays $1,000 per week for the rest of his life. With his winnings totaling more than twice what he made at the mill, it’s safe to say that Samuels is now off the streets and set for life.
#4 – Anthony Murphy
A NASCAR lover’s delight and a racecar driver’s dream, it’s no wonder why Indianapolis, Indiana is known as the “Racing Capital of the World” thanks to its illustrious Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Like so many others dreaming of hitting the track and becoming a legendary driver, Anthony Murphy dropped out of high school to pursue racing but quickly discovered it wasn’t as easy as it seemed. Landing only minimum wage jobs and unable to break into the racing industry, Murphy moved in with his family while desperately holding out for hope.
Refusing to give up on his dreams of racing and his love for the track, Murphy bought a scratch off lottery ticket inspired by the famous speedway. In what became the best day of his life, the young man won the jackpot of $125,000 as well as a VIP experience to the Indianapolis 500 race on the day before Memorial Day. Seeing his racing dreams come true as he drove around the famous track with a huge smile on his face, Murphy may not have a future as a racecar driver but he definitely landed back on his feet.
#3 – Lisa Reynolds
Refusing to give up on his dreams of racing and his love for the track, Murphy bought a scratch off lottery ticket inspired by the famous speedway. In what became the best day of his life, the young man won the jackpot of $125,000 as well as a VIP experience to the Indianapolis 500 race on the day before Memorial Day. Seeing his racing dreams come true as he drove around the famous track with a huge smile on his face, Murphy may not have a future as a racecar driver but he definitely landed back on his feet.
#3 – Lisa Reynolds
Much like Anthony Murphy’s love of car racing inspired him to buy an Indiana lottery ticket, Lisa Reynolds couldn’t help but support her home team when she and her mother bought a $5 Pittsburgh Steelers scratch off. A mother of three and living paycheck to paycheck in a cramped apartment with her sister and parents, Reynolds and her mother Sandra decided to take a chance on luck when they stopped at a local gas station one afternoon before heading home to watch the Steelers game. Their lives were forever changed.
Together, Lisa and Sandra won the lottery’s grand prize of $50,000 and used the money in Lisa’s checking account to give their family a once-in-a-lifetime experience – tickets to a Steelers home game. Though splitting the prize wasn’t enough to get Lisa or her mother completely out of debt, Lisa still had plenty of money left over to rent an apartment for herself and her three children. Now that’s what you call a real hometown Steelers victory!
#2 – Victor Herrera
Together, Lisa and Sandra won the lottery’s grand prize of $50,000 and used the money in Lisa’s checking account to give their family a once-in-a-lifetime experience – tickets to a Steelers home game. Though splitting the prize wasn’t enough to get Lisa or her mother completely out of debt, Lisa still had plenty of money left over to rent an apartment for herself and her three children. Now that’s what you call a real hometown Steelers victory!
#2 – Victor Herrera
Can you handle the Miami heat? Despite Miami, Florida being known for its beautiful coastline and diverse culture, Victor Herrera had just about had enough of his hometown especially when it came to the unbearably hot and humid summers. Recently divorced and homeless, Herrera and his son moved in with his sister in a cramped apartment without air conditioning. Uncomfortably hot and unable to sleep, Herrera left the apartment one August night and walked to the gas station for a bag of ice. He left with a $5 lottery ticket instead.
With the odds of winning the grand prize at only one in 15 million, Herrera couldn’t believe it when he won the $250,000 jackpot. Running back to the apartment to wake up his sister and son, Herrera excitedly told them the news as they packed their bags and headed for a hotel where they turned on the air conditioner full blast. Since then, Herrera has used his winnings to purchase a home (with an air conditioner) and move his son to a better school. As a thanks to his sister, Herrera even bought her a new air conditioner to make those Miami summers a little more bearable.
#1 – Wayne Dawson
With the odds of winning the grand prize at only one in 15 million, Herrera couldn’t believe it when he won the $250,000 jackpot. Running back to the apartment to wake up his sister and son, Herrera excitedly told them the news as they packed their bags and headed for a hotel where they turned on the air conditioner full blast. Since then, Herrera has used his winnings to purchase a home (with an air conditioner) and move his son to a better school. As a thanks to his sister, Herrera even bought her a new air conditioner to make those Miami summers a little more bearable.
#1 – Wayne Dawson
Leaving sunny Florida and heading north to the Great Lakes State of Michigan, Kalamazoo’s Wayne Dawson makes the top of our list. A father of two but not exactly a sympathetic figure after he abandoned his children and escaped to Detroit to live on a friend’s couch, Dawson found himself homeless when his friend kicked him to the curb after months of being jobless and unable to help with the rent or any of the bills. Ashamed of running from his family and not wanting to return to Kalamazoo, Dawson was quickly running out of options.
Finally landing a job as a dishwasher at a local Detroit restaurant, Dawson spent his first paycheck on lottery tickets with the hopes of turning his life around. As luck would have it, one of Dawson’s tickets matched the Fantasy 5 game numbers that paid out just over $100,000. With his name published across the state as a lottery winner, Dawson disappeared to avoid paying child support but law enforcement officials eventually tracked him down. After climbing out of debt, Dawson has disappeared once again with very little known about how much of his winnings he still has today.
Finally landing a job as a dishwasher at a local Detroit restaurant, Dawson spent his first paycheck on lottery tickets with the hopes of turning his life around. As luck would have it, one of Dawson’s tickets matched the Fantasy 5 game numbers that paid out just over $100,000. With his name published across the state as a lottery winner, Dawson disappeared to avoid paying child support but law enforcement officials eventually tracked him down. After climbing out of debt, Dawson has disappeared once again with very little known about how much of his winnings he still has today.
