$241 million jackpot goes to 'Shipping 20'

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, June 20 (UPI) -- Twenty co-workers at the Quaker Oats Co. plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who call themselves "The Shipping 20," claimed a $241 million Powerball jackpot Wednesday.

The shipping department workers -- 18 men and two women -- took a $160.3 million instant payoff, so each of them will bank about $5.6 million after taxes, The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette reported.

The lucky lottery players, looking to protect their privacy, are expected to become the first jackpot winners to take legal steps to keep their full names from being revealed publicly, the newspaper said.

Their spokesman, Al, 61, said he bought the tickets for the group, who have been pooling their money for about a decade. They're habit was to buy $100 worth of Powerball tickets whenever the jackpot got above $150 million.

"A lot of times we get nothing," Al said.

"But not this time" chimed in one co-worker.

The Gazette said at least 11 of the winners, ages 35-64, indicated they intend to retire from their jobs at Quaker Oats.

Al said the members of the group relish their privacy.

"Obviously, we don't want people knocking at our doors. We're common people, simple people. We don't want the limelight. I don't want this, but I'm here," Al told reporters.