Sisters woman sews masks — then sews up a $127K Keno jackpot

(Update: adding video, more comments by Hewitt)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Lorna Hewitt of Sisters didn’t expect a few hours in front of a sewing machine would produce nearly $127,000, in addition to the face masks she was making.

After being laid off from her job at a restaurant, Hewitt found part-time work at a local grocery store. It was there she got the idea to make face masks for her co-workers.

“They liked them so much, they started giving me some money for them,” Hewitt said. “So I started selling them, because my boss couldn’t order any more -- there was a shortage.”

Hewitt said using money from making face masks, she bought a Keno 8-spot ticket from the Sisters Main Line.

“I don’t play a lot, but thought I was doing something to help, maybe I would win,” she said.

“My sister said, 'How did you know -- you just knew?'" she told NewsChannel 21, "I said, 'I didn’t know -- I just hoped!'”

When she found out she won $126,789 on a Keno 8-spot ticket, she said she felt guilty.

“I was making the masks with fabric I already had, and I just happened to get in at a good time,” she said.

Her first stop after claiming her prize at the Oregon Lottery headquarters was Joann Fabrics in Salem -- for more mask-making supplies.

“My masks are popular, and I want to keep making them – and maybe some other things,” she said.

Hewitt told NewsChannel 21 she plans to continue making masks for grocery store employees, restaurant workers and first responders. She said winning the lotto came at a time when she needed it most.

“Oh, my retirement! I'm 65 and I really didn’t have a lot, not enough," Hewitt said. "So this will really help make it so that I don’t have to work past 66 maybe, you know.”

Hewitt claimed her prize after making an appointment with the Oregon Lottery. The Oregon Lottery offices are still closed, pending guidance from Gov. Kate Brown.

To protect the health and safety of its employees and the public, the Oregon Lottery has temporarily closed the Salem and Wilsonville Lottery offices. Officials with the Lottery continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely.

If players have a winning ticket, they can fill out a claim form on the Oregon Lottery website, https://oregonlottery.org/about/claim-prizes, and then mail in the signed ticket and claim form.

Players who have winning tickets of $50,000 or more will need to make an appointment to come to the Oregon Lottery office in Salem. Call 503-540-1000 for assistance. As always, players should be certain to sign the back of their tickets.

Since 1985, Oregon Lottery players have won more than $38 billion in prizes.

The Oregon Lottery reminds players to always sign the back of their Lottery tickets, regardless of the game. In the event of winning a jackpot, they should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings.

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $12 billion for economic development, public education, Outdoor School, state parks, Veterans services and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org