The winners of the $487 million Powerball jackpot in July have decided to remain anonymous. They've also decided they want to share their wealth.
The winners announced through their attorney on Monday that they will donate more than $120,000 to six different food pantries. And that's expected to be just the start of their philanthropic endeavors.
"They truly want to do good things with this," attorney William Shaheen said. "In order for them to do good things, they need anonymity. They couldn't have been two better people or a better family to win this money than these people, because they're going to do great things with it."
He said Monday's donations are "the first step in a long journey," and there will be more to come.
The winning ticket was sold at a Hannaford Supermarket in Raymond for the drawing on July 30. The southern New Hampshire town has about 10,000 residents.
The winners were announced Monday as "Robin Egg 2016 Nominee Trust," and their check was accepted by Shaheen and his daughter, Stacey Shaheen Bellabona.
The winning Powerball ticket was the eighth-largest U.S. lottery jackpot. The lump sum option is worth $330.6 million. After taxes, that amounts to $256 million.
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According to New Hampshire Lottery officials, the amount of money represents more than 10 years of cumulative Powerball sales in the state.
"This is a life-changing event," said Charlie McIntyre, executive director of the New Hampshire Lottery Commission.
Tickets are sold in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
