Ginger Russell of Speedway is celebrating after claiming a $50,000 Powerball® prize.

Ginger works at Allison Transmission and says she doesn't often play Hoosier Lottery games. During a recent trip to Meijer, however, the Powerball jackpot sign showing almost half a million dollars caught her eye, and she decided to purchase a ticket. Although she intended to buy three tickets, she accidentally only purchased two. But little did Ginger know, she only needed one of those tickets to win the largest lottery prize of her life.

That evening, Ginger planned to watch the Powerball drawing, but World Cup soccer coverage interrupted her plans. She waited to check her ticket the following morning by scanning it with the Hoosier Lottery app.

When she scanned her ticket, she was surprised to see a message instructing her to contact the Hoosier Lottery. Ginger knew she had something special and was excited to see what she had.

"I was watching the clock, waiting for 8:30 so I could call," Ginger said. She called as soon as the Hoosier Lottery’s offices opened and was amazed to hear that she had just won $50,000. Not one to wait, she claimed her prize later that day. 

Before this win, the largest lottery prize Ginger had ever claimed was $100. She said she never imagined she'd be celebrating a $50,000 Powerball prize.

Ginger lives with autoimmune diseases and says she has a new appreciation for making the most of life's opportunities. The $50,000 prize will help her daughter with school expenses and make another longtime dream possible.

"I've always wanted to travel out of the country," Ginger said. "Now I just have to get a passport!"

For Ginger, one unexpected purchase has become an opportunity to create memories she has been looking forward to for years.

Powerball® Overall Odds 1 in 25