Lottery Winners Always 'Lucky'

The lunch ladies of Holdingford, Minn., have a lot more money these days – about $2 million each – but it turns out they have been rich all of their lives.

The 16 cafeteria workers, who pooled their pocket change and bought a winning lottery ticket this fall, told The Early Show Correspondent Tracy Smith they have no plans to change their lives, which already are full and satisfying.

So at a time of the morning few people ever see, the women, with the exception of two who retired, start work in the kitchen, just as they have done for years.

And those who are wondering why the women are still there at work need only visit Holdingford to find out. The school is the heart of the community and the kitchen is the heart of the school.

And the women at the heart of the kitchen spend their days working with and for the people they love.

Most are giving away at least some of their earnings, to churches, charities and needy family members.

"It's just so much more fun to give and see the delight on people's faces, " says Donna.

None of them want furs, much less Ferraris. When Phyllis Breth is done washing dishs for the day, she goes home and dreams of a new refrigerator with an icemaker.

Jewelry isn't a big seller here, either. These women want things they can really use, like braces.

Fifty-eight year old Betty, whose always been self-conscious about a crooked smile, finally is able to do something about it.

One woman is planning a trip to Alaska: "I'm from Minnesota and I like snow," she explains. Another is buying a new truck and remodeling the barn. Two of the women are building new homes - one fulfilling a dream of living in a log home.

A few are saving it for the future, one investing in stocks and bonds and the other planning to buy a new car when her current one needs to be replaced. "I don't need a new car yet but I figure next year I will," she says.

One woman, who plans to use her winnings for her children's education, recounts a conversation she had with her son. "He comes up to me and said,'Mom,does this mean I can go to college?' And I said, 'Blaine, this means you can go to any college you want to,'" she said.

With the holidays ahead, several are planning to make the season joyous for friends and family.

"I'm taking my mother to Vegas the day after Christmas," says Kathy. "She's 84 years old and healthy yet, so I'm taking her to Vegas."

Is there a downside to having this money? "Yahh," says Roseanne. "You get more headaches."

If you believe that money can't buy love or happiness, then the Holdingford ladies were winners long before their lottery numbers came up. Those are the two things those women never had to go shopping for.