TENNESSEE EDUCATION LOTTERY
A group of 20 longtime co-workers now share more than their place of work: together they won, and will split, a $420.9 Powerball jackpot from the drawing held Nov. 26, 2016.
The “Tennessee 20,” as they quickly dubbed themselves after the big win, joined Tennessee Education Lottery officials today to claim their winnings.
“All this time playing has been fun, but I never truly thought we would win,” said Amy O’Neal, the group’s spokesperson. “It’s still sinking in, but we’re having a blast!”
The winners, from 13 different cities in the mid-south, work together at North American Stamping, North 1 LLC, Portland, Tenn. They primarily handle sales and quality control at the auto parts manufacturing plant.
The winning ticket was a Quick Pick sold at Smokeshop, 711 Scottsville Road, Lafayette, Tenn. Owner Joyce Gregory was on-hand to receive a $25,000 selling bonus and to join Amy, a long-time loyal customer, the other winners, family members and Tennessee Lottery staff members.
Winners chose the cash lump sum payment of $254.7 million and will split it evenly. It is the 9th-highest Powerball jackpot in history.
Immediate plans varied — from a vacation in Italy, helping family with medical bills, sending children to college and purchasing new vehicles —but one thing was unanimous: the desire to help others.
“This group has a heart of gold,” said Steve Huffman, who lives in Macon County. “They always have and they always will.”
