Clinton Parkway Hy-Vee perishables manager Kevin Lawrence, left, and store manager Tara Jo Brown, right, present Lawrence residents Linda English and Robert Cook with 0,000 in Home Depot gift cards. English was randomly chosen as the winner out of Hy-Vee customers in eight states.

Though admittedly shy, Lawrence resident Linda English was happy to be in front of a small crowd Thursday when she took hold of a stack of Home Depot gift cards — $30,000 worth.

English won the prize from Hy-Vee by participating in the store’s fuel saver program. She was randomly chosen, and she’s the only person to win the prize in the eight states Hy-Vee stores are located.

English and her husband, Robert Cook, bought a retirement home one year ago and are planning on making upgrades with the prize money.

“It’s an old house. It needs some work,” English said. “We started a home improvement list, and we’re going to go through that.”

Clinton Parkway Hy-Vee perishables manager Kevin Lawrence, left, and store manager Tara Jo Brown, right, present Lawrence residents Linda English and Robert Cook with 0,000 in Home Depot gift cards. English was randomly chosen as the winner out of Hy-Vee customers in eight states.

At the Hy-Vee on Clinton Parkway on Thursday afternoon, store manager Tara Jo Brown announced over the intercom that there would be a special presentation.

Waiting in the store’s floral department, English said, “I’m really shy. Maybe I can hide behind the flowers.”

“You can try,” Cook said.

English first took hold of the gift cards, and then a bouquet, before posing for photos.

Hy-Vee employees grouped around and congratulated her at the end of the presentation.

“Thank you all so much,” English said. “This is really great.”