I’m willing to bet half of the residents of Trenton, New Jersey are asking themselves that question, as eight members of the Smith family have stepped forward to claim the $429.6 million Powerball Jackpot in New Jersey.
According to reports, the winners include a lucky mother and her seven children (Valerie, Marcia, Steven, Jacqueline, Tracy, Kathy, Renee). Mother Pearlie Mae Smith actually bought the winning ticket at a 7-Eleven in Trenton, New Jersey on May 3 at 5:20 p.m.
Valerie Arthur, Smith’s daughter and the family spokesperson, claims her mother played numbers the family members selected and purchased only $6 in tickets. They didn’t play favorite numbers, anniversary dates or birthdays. Of selecting the winning numbers, Arthur says it was “divine intervention.” She added, “That’s the only way you can explain that.”
Arthur, who recently retired after working as a prison administrator for 27 years, also pointed out that the Smiths aren’t avid players. They only play when the Powerball jackpot goes over a “certain amount.”
With a Powerball number of 9, the winning numbers were 5-25-26-44-66. Carole Hedinger, New Jersey Lottery executive director, confirms Smith’s ticket is the largest single jackpot ticket sold in New Jersey.
The Smiths chose a cash payout of $284 million. The family plans to put the money to good use. “We each have dreams we want to achieve in this life,” Arthur said, revealing that one sister has dreamed of creating a mentoring program for young women, but lacked funds. “Now, she has her own funding…and can help young women at risk,” Arthur said. “She can go and change lives on her own accord.”
Another winner in New Jersey is the 10-year owner of the Trenton 7-Eleven store, Andrea Shin. She was presented with a $30K check Monday.
So, after Uncle Sam takes his share, each family member will likely take home more then $10M. This begs the question: if you were a Smith, what would you do with all that cash?
