LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky woman who won the lottery decided to give back by handing out gift cards to strangers with some of her winnings.
Crystal Dunn played the “Bank Buster Jackpot Instant Play” game online, wagering $20 on July 8, lottery officials said in a news release. Seconds later, a message popped up informing her that she had won the game’s $146,351.74 jackpot.
Dunn received a check for $103,909.73 after taxes, WLKY reported.
“I saw that and didn’t believe it at first,” Dunn said.
Dunn said that she knew she wanted to pay it forward, and after depositing the check at the bank, stopped at a Meijer grocery store to buy $2,000 in gift cards, WDRB reported. She then walked around the store, handing the cards to unsuspecting strangers.
“A few were taken back, thinking I was wanting something in return,” Dunn told lottery officials. “I got an unexpected gift, and I believe in paying it forward and I wanted to pass it along.”
Dunn told lottery officials that she plans to use some of the money to buy a car and pay off bills.