Winner of SC $1.5B Mega Millions jackpot donates portion of winnings to 5 charities

COLUMBIA, S.C. (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) - After much anticipation, the winner of the $1.5 billion Mega Millions jackpot came forward to claim her prize this month.

The anonymous winner said she would like to begin her philanthropic endeavors and show her appreciation to the State of South Carolina and the City of Simpsonville by providing charitable donations to the following originations:

Ronald McDonald House of Charities of Columbia, SC
One SC Fund - for Hurricane Florence Relief
In The Middle, Columbia, SC
City of Simpsonville Art Center
American Red Cross Alabama Region - Tornado Relief Fund

Last October, the record breaking Mega Millions jackpot captivated the nation. Millions of people held their breath as the winning numbers were revealed.

In South Carolina, the ultimate dream was realized. This South Carolinian was in town visiting Greenville, and decided to go on a scenic drive during some down time. As fate would have it, her drive took her past the KC Mart, where the signs showing the incredibly large jackpot caught her eye.

She decided to take a chance and purchase a ticket, never once thinking she had the slightest chance to win. After checking her ticket the morning after the drawing, she was in complete shock and disbelief. She stared motionless at the ticket for what felt like hours, then came the jumping and screams of joy.

"Words can't describe the feeling of such incredible luck," the winner said. "I do realize that such good fortune carries a tremendous social responsibility."

The winner noted that she is grateful that South Carolina allows lottery winners to claim their prize anonymously and sincerely hopes that her wish to remian anonymous is respected so that she can live a life of relative normalcy, free of fear.