An amazing thing has happened in Port Jefferson, New York. A man, who wishes to remain anonymous, won a large amount of money with a scratch off lottery and decided to donate it all to the True North Community Church. The church in turn has decided to donate at least twenty percent of the donation to charity.

The donor won $3 million when he bought a “Ba Da Bling” scratch off ticket on July 19th. Once the man realized that he had won and for how much he immediately called Pastor Bertrand Crabbe of the True North Community Church of Port Jefferson. Crabbe was invited to the man’s home and when he arrived, the donor told the pastor of his intentions. Crabbe stated the man “wanted to bless the church”.

Crabbe then was handed the ticket by the man, so Crabbe could claim the prize. Crabbe did just that, claiming the prize on behalf of the 650 member church, which was only founded three years ago by the pastor.

The church will receive at least $102,225 each year until 2028. That amount could increase if the state decides to return the withheld taxes because the church is a nonprofit. The pastor has stated that the church will use at least 20 percent on charity, including the Love 146 charity that works to help slavery and human trafficking. The church has decided the first payment will go all to charity and then starting next year the 20 percent will go toward charity and the rest will be used to build a new building for the church.

Crabbe was quoted as saying: “This is why God put the ticket in his hands” about the anonymous donor. It is amazing that the man donated the $3 million ticket but it is wonderful that the church has decided to donate a portion of their earnings every year to help others as well.


- 2008-08-28