Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Long Island nonprofit says "no" to its share of lottery winnings


The Associated Press reported on Friday, September 12, 2008 that a Long Island nonprofit, The Lighthouse Mission, turned down its share of winnings of a $3 million dollar lottery ticket. Here is part of what the article says:

A New York charity says it has turned down a share of a $3 million lottery jackpot because accepting the money could send the wrong message to gambling addicts.

The Lighthouse Mission, which helps feed 3,000 hungry Long Island residents a week, had been chosen to share an anonymous donor's jackpot last month. The donor gave the winning ticket to the True North Community Church, which said it would share the money with other charities.

The mission's pastor, James Ryan, says he appreciates the offer but had to turn it down because his organization counsels against addictions, including gambling. He did not say what the mission's share of the prize would have been.


GCASA has a policy that we do not accept grants and donations from breweries and distilleries and tobacco companies. In 2006, when the Genesee County Drug Free Communities coalition won the Got Outcomes Coalition of the year from CADCA we refused the donation from Pharma, the makers of Oxycontin. Similarly GCASA does not sponsor raffles or other gambling activities and similarly would not accept money from gambling wins and proceeds.

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