Homeless man wins $50,000 on Lotto but says he will continue living in a tent and use the money to help his friends
A homeless man who won $50,000 on the
Lotto says he will continue living in a tent and use his new-found
wealth to help his friends.
Dennis Mahurin, who has been living rough in Bloomington, Illinois, since 1978, couldn't believe his luck after winning the jackpot from a $3 scratch ticket he bought at a petrol station last week.
But the 59-year-old says he will not leave the tent he has lived in for the last 20 years and will instead give $100 each to all the other homeless people he knows.
Describing the moment he found
out he had won, Mr Mahurin told News25: 'I scratched it off right here
in my tent. I took it to the gas station. I thought it was a thousand
dollars. She said 'nope', I said 'oh I messed up didn't I'. She says 'no
it's fifty thousand'. And I almost fell over.'
After tax, Mr Mahurin will have around $35,000. He says he will visit his son, have dental work done, put some in savings and maybe buy a new tent.
But his main aim is to use his good fortune to give others in a similar position a helping hand.
'All the other homeless people round here - I've already made up my mind I'm gonna give them each $100,' he said.
Mr Mahurin says he understands why some might find his decision to stay in his tent strange.
'You've got a job and a place to stay,' he explained to one TV reporter. 'I'm living in a tent. Happy as can be. It's in my nature.'
The manager of the gas station, Sandra Rankin, told ABC News that no one has ever won such a large amount at her store before.
'It’s quite exciting, when I got the phone call I was jumping up and down and mostly it was because of who it went to,' she said.
'He has been coming out ever since I started here. He is a great guy, has an awesome sense of humor. I care deeply for him and he is a very decent gentleman. He comes into my store three to four times a day.'
Dennis Mahurin, who has been living rough in Bloomington, Illinois, since 1978, couldn't believe his luck after winning the jackpot from a $3 scratch ticket he bought at a petrol station last week.
But the 59-year-old says he will not leave the tent he has lived in for the last 20 years and will instead give $100 each to all the other homeless people he knows.
Staying put: Dennis Mahurin says he will not leave the tent he has lived in for 20 years despite winning $50,000 on the Lotto
Home sweet home: The tent where Lotto winner Mr Mahurin sleeps every night
Jackpot: The winning ticket which Mr Mahurin bought in a petrol station last week
After tax, Mr Mahurin will have around $35,000. He says he will visit his son, have dental work done, put some in savings and maybe buy a new tent.
But his main aim is to use his good fortune to give others in a similar position a helping hand.
'All the other homeless people round here - I've already made up my mind I'm gonna give them each $100,' he said.
Generous: Each of Mr Mahurin's homeless friends is set to receive $100 each thanks to his good fortune
Life-changing: The money will help Mr Mahurin see his son and have dental work done
'You've got a job and a place to stay,' he explained to one TV reporter. 'I'm living in a tent. Happy as can be. It's in my nature.'
The manager of the gas station, Sandra Rankin, told ABC News that no one has ever won such a large amount at her store before.
'It’s quite exciting, when I got the phone call I was jumping up and down and mostly it was because of who it went to,' she said.
'He has been coming out ever since I started here. He is a great guy, has an awesome sense of humor. I care deeply for him and he is a very decent gentleman. He comes into my store three to four times a day.'