He taught for decades and was legendary at St. John's High School and Junior College, and tonight Charlie Woods is one of the luckiest men in Belize. He's the winner of a 97,500 dollar LOTTO jackpot and the wizened 74 year old told us that there's a lesson in his winning for all of us, lesson 1: don't let a rat eat your ticket.
Charlie Woods, LOTTO Winner
"I really couldn't believe it so I checked twice and then I called a friend and the friend came and checked also. And even so it was like living in a dream with the suspense and the anxiety waiting. I didn't feel good until I get the check because rat might steal the number or something so I still feel nervous because I just wanted to finish up business and everything. But I feel great. And really it's wonderful to be a winner. Caramba!"
Jules Vasquez,
Is there a lesson in all this for the old school teacher that we should all learn? Is it that you should wait eternally for a divine act of providence?
Charlie Woods,
"No no no. The thing is that you should try to have a pregnant hope. And by pregnant hope I mean it is not forlorn and it is not wasted but you hope because there's something going to happen and that's the pregnant hope. It gives you happiness to look forward to because you know something is going to happen whether it's winning or whatever."
Jules Vasquez,
I know you don't have dependents per se. How will you spend this money?
Charlie Woods,
"I will pay off some debts and live up to some commitments and that lil one will get something too…my little angel. She is my sunshine, 2 years 10 months old, and she keeps me happy and lucky. And then well I got a few relatives but you know its not a big big pile of money once you pay off everything so the rest will I think last me until I'm ready to go."
Woods arrived at his winning series of numbers by using quick pick on a $20 purchase.