Sometimes happy news comes from someone who understands struggle firsthand. Patty Warden knows how hard life feels for many families right now as grocery prices continue to rise.
So she decided to do something simple and powerful. She walked into a local grocery store and quietly began handing out gift cards to shoppers, helping cover the cost of their food.
By the end of the day, she had given away more than $20,000, leaving many people stunned and emotional when they realized a stranger had stepped in to help.
Patty won a $70 million lottery jackpot in 2024, but she says the money hasn’t changed who she is, only how many people she can help. Before her win, she survived years of trauma, illness, addiction, and even homelessness, at times sleeping on park benches.
Now sober for 30 years, she credits her mother for helping her rebuild her life with kindness, integrity, and respect. Patty says sharing her good fortune is one of the greatest joys she’s ever known.