We’ve all fantasized about the lavish things we’d do if we won the lottery and won millions of money. Lerynne West is one of the few lucky people who has really experienced winning hundreds of millions of dollars in the lottery, and what she chose to do with the money has touched the hearts of people all around the world.

Lerynne, 51, just won $343.9 million in the Powerball lottery and immediately realized she wanted to utilize her fortune to assist others. Lerynne revealed her near-loss of her winning ticket during a news conference following her victory. “[It] began off like any other day, only it was a little different for me because I had just purchased my first house,” she explained. “That day, I acquired a house in Redfield, Iowa, and I was relocating.” The movers had departed around midday, my son-in-law had left, and my sister was on her way up to assist me pack.”

“I received my lottery tickets,” she said, “and we went back out to [my sister’s] truck.” “I merely threw those in my handbag at the foot — or so I thought — and didn’t think about them again until Sunday morning.” The tickets fell out of her handbag and landed on the floor of her sister’s vehicle! Lerynne thought she had won the jackpot when the numbers were called, but she didn’t have the ticket! “I instructed my sister to get in her truck, get the ticket, and hurry up and get up here!” “And drive slowly,” Lerynne advised.

Lerynne made it clear in her press conference that she planned to use her winnings to help others. “I want you to know that as I stand here today I know the responsibility that I have to do good with this money,” she said with tears in her eyes. “My life has changed forever. I plan to make thoughtful and responsible decisions on giving to my friends, my family and setting up so that my grandchildren will all have a college education.”

As the daughter of a veteran of the Vietnam War, Lerynne knew right away that she wanted to help veterans. That’s why she immediately pledged to donate $500,000 of her winnings to The Travis Mills Foundation, which helps veterans and their families through “long-term programs that help these heroic men and women overcome physical obstacles, strengthen their families, and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation.”

Lerynne revealed her plans to donate to this foundation during an appearance on “The Ellen Degeneres Show.” “It’s very important to me that we never forget the sacrifices soldiers and their family members make for our country,” Lerynne said. Lerynne has suddenly found herself in a position of privilege, and she wants to spread her newfound wealth around as much as possible. We would like to thank her for the astounding generosity that she is showing!