Northeast Iowa Woman's Lottery Dream Comes True On Christmas
Darla Carpenter Claims $250,000 Prize In 'Winter Winnings' Scratch Game
To download image, right click on image, then navigate to 'Save Picture As' to save this file to your computer.
CLIVE, Iowa — A northeast Iowa woman said her lottery dream came true this Christmas when she won a $250,000 prize.
"Dreams do happen and it only takes one ticket," said Darla Carpenter of New Hampton. "I just kept believing maybe one day that will be me."
Carpenter won the second top prize in the "Winter Winnings" scratch game. The winning ticket was a Christmas gift from her husband, who bought it at Kwik Star, 115 E. Main St. in New Hampton.
She claimed her prize Friday at the lottery's regional office in Mason City, and said it was a surreal moment for both her and her husband.
"Neither of us slept last night. I still don't think it hit, but now I've got my picture and the check and it's amazing," she said.
Carpenter, 61, works at a manufacturing facility and plans to retire in a couple of years. She said her prize money will make retirement even better.
"It just gives me more of a sense of security right now, knowing I have something to fall back on if something happens," Carpenter said.
Winter Winnings is a $20 scratch game that features three top prizes of $250,000 and overall odds of 1 in 2.64.
From now until 9:59 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2024, players can enter nonwinning holiday-themed scratch and InstaPlay tickets for a chance to win $1.1 million in cash prizes. For more information about the Cash Prizes are Coming to Town promotion, visit www.ialottery.com.
Return to top↑