Woman on Brink of Homelessness Wins $390,000 Lottery Jackpot

Just when you thought all hope of any positive news was lost, this headline is sure to warm even the most jaded of hearts. CNN reports that Shawna Donnelly has won a "Lucky for Life" lottery ticket totaling $390,000 and essentially saving her from living on the edge of homelessness. 

The 50-year-old woman from Clarkstown, Michigan purchased a $2 lottery ticket from a 7/11 on a whim, and ended up winning big. Donnelly was in a pretty tough spot financially. "This year has been the toughest of my life," she said, explaining that in addition to being tight for cash, she is also the sole caretaker for her elderly mother.

Bills piling up and an aging mom to care for, Donnelly figured she had nothing to lose. Payouts for the "Lucky for Life" lottery range from as little as $3 to hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime. That's why when Donnelly got up in the middle of the night to check her numbers, she was shocked to find that the five white balls drawn matched her ticket.

"When I saw I matched five numbers, I must have refreshed my phone 100 times to make sure I won," Donnelly told Michigan Lottery officials. Donnelly now has enough money to secure her and her mom's future. After purchasing a new car and home, Donnelly plans to stash the rest in savings. "Winning this prize couldn't have come at a better time."