Lottery win turns into lasting tribute for local Navy family

When Carrie Edwards won $150,000 in the Virginia State Lottery, she didn’t think twice about what to do with it. Instead of keeping the winnings, she donated the entire prize to three nonprofit organizations, including the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), honoring her late father’s lifelong dedication to the Navy.

Edwards’ father, Capt. Peter Swanson, was a Navy fighter pilot who passed away in 2023. Throughout his life, Capt. Swanson and his wife supported NMCRS, a nonprofit that provides financial and educational assistance to active-duty and retired Sailors, Marines, and their families. For the Swanson family, giving back became a tradition, with donations often serving as birthday or holiday gifts.

Before his passing, Capt. Swanson left a request in his will that each of his three children donate $34,000 to NMCRS, a total of $100,000 in his honor. Edwards’ lottery winnings continue that legacy, ensuring NMCRS can expand its mission of providing interest-free loans, grants, and other aid to service members in need.

Founded in 1904, NMCRS supports tens of thousands of Sailors, Marines, and their families each year. In 2024, more than 208,000 people benefited from its programs, which include financial assistance for food, rent, utilities, vehicle repairs, and emergency travel. With offices in 213 locations worldwide, both ashore and afloat, NMCRS remains the only military aid society with such global reach.

Vice President and Chief Development and Communications Officer Gillian Gonzalez noted that contributions like those from the Swanson family play a vital role in sustaining the organization’s ability to provide confidential and compassionate support.

For more information about Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, visit their website here.