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'88 Lotto winner was known for her philanthropy

Florida charities, facing dwindling donations, hope the winner of the $75-million Lotto will care to share.

ORLANDO - Whoever wins the estimated $75-million Florida Lotto jackpot Saturday night might be tempted to buy sports cars, take trips to Europe or go on wild gambling binges in Las Vegas.

But some Florida charities, facing dwindling donations in a stagnant economy, hope for at least a small piece of the winnings since lottery wins tend to bring out a philanthropic streak in people.

If Saturday night's winner - or winners - are philanthropically inclined, no better role model can be found than Sheelah Ryan, who won a then-record $55.1-million in 1988.

"Most people who come in always mention that they're going to donate money to their church or help neighbors or help their families," said Sheila Griffin, a spokeswoman for the Florida Lottery in Tallahassee. "We don't know anyone who has given at the level of Sheelah Ryan. That doesn't mean others haven't, but we just don't know about it."

Ryan, of Seminole County, died in 1994 at age 69 after spending a generous portion of her winnings on setting up a charitable foundation that helps abused woman, gives scholarships to young adults, pays for job training programs and provides Meals on Wheels for the elderly.

The Ryan Foundation, based in Winter Springs, spends about $200,000 annually on charitable work, primarily in Seminole County.

"She is still making a difference in the community 15 years later," said Pamela Ohab, Ryan's former accountant and now president of the foundation.

Ryan was a modest woman - a former real estate agent who lived in a mobile home before she won the jackpot. She was divorced and never had children.

But Ryan's good fortune had a dark side, her former attorney, Evelyn Cloninger. A stranger once followed her into the post office asking for money. Another jumped over the security fence of her home to beg for assistance. She was inundated with thousands of letters and phone calls asking her for help. Toward the end of her life, she grew suspicious of people.

The current $75-million Lotto jackpot is the 10th highest in Florida Lotto history.