Lottery Winner Gives $3-Million Ticket to Church

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August 28, 2008

Lottery Winner Gives $3-Million Ticket to Church

A Long Island resident who won $3-million in the New York state lottery gave the winning ticket to a local church, reports the New York Daily News.

“My first reaction was stunned silence,” said Bertrand Crabbe, pastor of the True North Community Church, in Port Jefferson, who appeared at an announcement ceremony August 27 with state lottery officials. “After I picked my jaw up off the floor, I was just overwhelmed with joy and gratitude.” Mr. Crabbe would not reveal the donor’s identity.

The church, whose windfall came courtesy of a $10 Bada-Bling scratchoff ticket, will receive at least $102,225 a year for the next 20 years, an amount that could increase if taxes are refunded because of the church’s nonprofit status.

Mr. Crabbe says he intends to purchase a bigger building for the church, which has grown rapidly in recent years, but will donate the first year’s winnings to other charities. A large portion of those funds, he says, will benefit Love 146, a charity in neighboring Connecticut that fights human trafficking in Southeast Asia.

About his parishioner’s charitable gesture, the pastor added, “I hope it inspires other people to be generous to their churches and to charities everywhere — especially in light of the economy.”

Comments

Now that’s an inspirational story! And one the local church can share because it is spreading the wealth – so to speak – among other charities. Yes, that’s a story worth telling. Part of their challenge will be to ensure regular donors and parishioners realize there’s still a need for on-going support. Communicate clearly that the lottery winnings will help with the capital improvement fund and the human trafficking charity; and that many routine programs still need support. Otherwise some folks may think they don’t need to give anymore and this could hurt the church in the very long run. Strive to keep them in the habit of giving something. http://www.PKscribe.com

— Karen Zapp Aug 28, 03:18 PM #

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