Five years after winning an $80 million Powerball jackpot, Phillip and Dawn Chippewa have transformed their lives—and their community—through a labor of love known as Serenity Ranch.
The couple, who live on a 25-acre ranch in Suttons Bay, Michigan, established Serenity Ranch as a place for people dealing with trauma to find healing through horses.
“Serenity Ranch represents how our lives have come full circle,” said Dawn Chippewa, speaking from inside the horse arena on their property. “When we got married, I had horses, but as our family grew, I had to give them up because it became too much.”
Phillip had once promised Dawn he’d bring horses back into her life. “I didn’t know how I’d do it,” he said, “but I knew how important it was to her.”
That promise unexpectedly came true on September 21, 2019, when Phillip bought a Powerball ticket at Barrels and Barrels Party Store in Suttons Bay. He had nearly left without buying a ticket but changed his mind at the last second.
The next day, after checking the numbers, he realized he held the winning ticket. “I didn’t even have to look past the first line,” Phillip said. “My son read the numbers off his phone while Dawn and I looked at the ticket. We both had tears in our eyes.”
With the sudden wealth came a big responsibility. “It was overwhelming at first to know we’d never have to worry about money again,” Dawn said. The couple hired a financial team and began thinking about how to use their money meaningfully. That’s when Serenity Ranch was born.
The ranch now serves as a sanctuary, helping people heal from trauma by working with horses. It runs on donations and volunteer help, but the couple’s commitment keeps it thriving.
“Being able to provide a place where people can come and heal has been life-changing,” said Dawn. “I put in more hours here than I ever did before. But this is truly a labor of love.”
Michigan Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli praised the Chippewas for their efforts. “Their story is inspiring,” she said. “It shows how lottery winners can make a real difference in their communities.”
Though the Chippewas’ jackpot win changed their lives, they’ve stayed grounded in their values. “We wanted to stay active in our community,” said Dawn. “Serenity Ranch has given us that chance.”
