Ohio Man Wins $25,208.50 Lottery Prize Using Grandmother-in-Law's Algorithm

The prize money will support the winner's nonprofit teaching financial literacy to kids.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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An Ohio man won a $25,208.50 lottery prize by using a special algorithm created by his wife's grandmother. The couple regularly plays the lottery and had been praying for a win to support their nonprofit organization, Youth Mind Builders, which teaches financial literacy to kids. The winning ticket was purchased at Briggs Stop Mart in Columbus, Ohio.

Why it matters

This story highlights the creative ways people try to increase their odds of winning the lottery, as well as the potential impact a lottery win can have on a person's ability to support their community. The grandmother's algorithm-based approach is an unusual method that paid off for the winner.

The details

The Ohio man and his wife use a special algorithm invented by his wife's grandmother when they play the lottery regularly. They had been praying for a lottery win to support their nonprofit organization, Youth Mind Builders, which teaches financial literacy to kids. The winning ticket, which matched all 5 numbers in the Feb. 15 evening Pick 5 drawing, was purchased at Briggs Stop Mart on Briggs Road in Columbus. In addition to the $25,000 jackpot, the ticket also scored an additional $208.50 from a 120-way box bet.

  • The winning ticket was purchased on February 15, 2026 for the evening Pick 5 drawing.

The players

Ohio Man

The winner of the $25,208.50 lottery prize, who plans to use the money to support his nonprofit organization, Youth Mind Builders.

Grandmother-in-Law

The creator of the special algorithm used by the Ohio man and his wife to play the lottery regularly.

Youth Mind Builders

A nonprofit organization founded by the Ohio man and his wife that teaches financial literacy to kids.

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What’s next

The Ohio man plans to use the lottery winnings to buy computers and games for Youth Mind Builders to further support their financial literacy programs for kids.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates the creative ways people try to improve their chances of winning the lottery, as well as the potential for a lottery win to have a positive impact on a person's ability to support their community through charitable initiatives.