Gloria MacKenzie, Big Powerball Winner, May Donate $2 Million To Maine School

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Gloria MacKenzie, the Florida resident who won the largest single Powerball jackpot in history, reportedly offered to donate a significant amount of her winnings to a Maine school, according to the Bangor Daily News.

MacKenzie, 84, won a sum of more than $590 million last month and collected $278 million after taxes. According to the outlet, she has reportedly offered to donate $2 million of her earnings to repair the roof of Schneck High School in East Millinocket, Maine.

A retired teacher, MacKenzie hailed from East Millinocket before moving to Florida, according to local outlet WABI-TV. She still has strong ties to the town: Her daughter currently teaches at the school, and her son has served as a member of the school board.

East Millinocket's local economy has suffered in recent years, which is part of what makes MacKenzie's gift so significant. Reports NBC News, the superintendent of the school district, Quenten Clark, said he got word of MacKenzie’s potential gift on Tuesday.

"I think without [the donation], the school was going to die," Clark told local outlet WCSH-TV. "East Millinocket was not going to have a school in the long run, and I think with this we'll be able to keep the school going for a while."

“We are very fortunate to have them in the community,” school board Chairman Daniel Byron said of the MacKenzie family, according to the Bangor Daily News. “They take their heritage to heart when it comes to the town and helping the town out. It [the $2 million offer] is a great gesture on their part.”

Gloria MacKenzie is adamant about staying out of the public eye, despite her newfound fame and wealth. She has made only one public statement –- which was read by lottery officials on her behalf –- since her winnings were announced in June.

"While in line at Publix [Super Market], another lottery player was kind enough to let me go ahead of them in line to purchase the winning quick-pick ticket," said a lottery official on Mackenzie’s behalf. “We are grateful with this blessing of winning the Florida Lottery Powerball jackpot.”