By Baileigh Rebowe

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Jo Maxent of LaPlace rejoiced with her family Sunday after finding out she won the New Orleans St. Jude Dream Home, valued at approximately $625,000 located in Metairie.

“I was in disbelief, I couldn’t believe I won. When my brother called me, I thought he was pulling a prank. Then I received a phone call from St. Jude, and I knew it wasn’t a joke,” said Maxent.

Maxent said the moment was surreal for her because she never imagined she would be the winner out of 10,000 entries.

“When I think about, I still can’t believe it. I was just trying to help out a good cause. God definitely had a blessing with my name on it,” she said.

It was her daughter who pushed Maxent to a buy the dream home ticket, according to Maxent.

“I thought about buying the ticket since I have donated to St. Jude in the past, but I wasn’t sure. When I went into the bank with my daughter, we knew it was a way we could further help the children at St. Jude,” she said.

Maxent said the house was so beautiful the first time she saw it Sunday evening, but she is still unsure if she is going to pack up and move right away. She said she has to discuss it with her family and pray about it.

“This is all new for me. I’m just going to let the Lord guide me. I love the house and believe it is such a blessing, but no, I have not made a decision yet,” she said.

She said if it were up to her 16-year-old son, they would be moving tomorrow.

“He goes to school in town and will be working there this summer, so he’s ready,” Maxent said. “We’ll see.”

Maxent said she is overwhelmed by the outpouring of well-wishers since she won the house and wants to thank everyone for their support.

Other winners from the River Parishes in the New Orleans St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway Campaign include Mr. and Mrs. Rodger Scott of Luling, who won eight private personal training sessions with Angie Gaubert at Flexation Fitness Center.