Lottery Winner Who Gave Away Her Entire Prize Dies of Cancer

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.care2.com/causes/lottery-winner-who-gave-away-her-entire-prize-dies-of-cancer.html

* by Shannon M.
* July 20, 2011
* 6:00 pm



Imagine winning the lottery.

Then imagine giving 98% of it away.

Violet and Allen Large won $11.2 Million dollars last year in the lottery. However, instead of going on spending sprees, world trips and buying shiny cars, they decided to do exactly the opposite: they gave almost all of it away. “What you’ve never had, you don’t miss,” Allan Large said shortly after collecting their winnings. The money, they felt, was nothing but a nuisance. And what was more, Violet was suffering from cancer — and the Larges knew that no amount of money could give her back her health. So they went about disposing of their money in the most beneficial ways they could think of. They gave the money away to hospitals, churches, family members, cemeteries, fire departments, the VON, the Red Cross, the War Amps and many other organizations. Their generosity was unparalleled.

They kept a mere 2% — approximately $200,000- – to keep their house running, particularly since Violet was undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer. They stayed living in their same farmhouse, driving their same truck, and living the same lives they’d been living for decades. Last month, the Larges were named Individual Philanthropists of the Year by the Maritime Philanthropy Awards. The awards committee said the couple’s generosity “embodied and encouraged the idea of pure philanthropy.”

Violet died last weekend of ovarian cancer at the age of 79. She leaves behind a truly moving legacy of charity. She was buried yesterday by her family and friends, and her life celebrated as one rich not with money, but with generosity and love.

[Vinca]

1. A sad and happy story all at the same time. It's nice to hear about truly good people.

[SpiralHawk]

Wow - the Anti-Republicon incarnate

Thank you Violet, for eschewing small mindedness and greed, and instead displaying a bright, generous, loving spirit. No doubt Republicons condemned you for caring about others and for what they think of as 'socialism' -- but honorable people know the good you embodied and demonstrated. Thank you.

[tuckessee]

67. Socialism is when it's done by the gov't first taking the money from the individual.

What she did was charity. She's more of a poster child for libertarians than statists.

There are plenty of uber-rich socialists out there and I don't see any of them giving away their entire fortunes.

edit - word omission

[Enthusiast]

69. Don't they have a special website

for people like you, you know, Ron Paul supporters?

[Hosnon]

2. What a lovely person! Rest in peace. nt.

[BeyondGeography]

3. Good people who know how to be happy

They rarely get press, but there's still plenty of them.

K&R

[Sarah Ibarruri]

4. They're Canadian. Here's another article with photos. Very lovely folks.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1326473/Canadian-couple-Allen-Violet-Large-away-entire-11-2m-lottery-win.html

[shanti]

31. what that money

"bought" them is good karma. such a refreshing story.

[catrose]

47. Can you imagine living in America with cancer

and giving away all your lottery winnings? Here they just might cover your copays.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

73. Yep. Living in the U.S. is literally HELL. nt

[malaise]

5. Didn't anyone tell her that compassion

is commie thinking? :sarcasm:

RIP Violet - you and Allen are large and in charge of what is good about our planet.

[MinneapolisMatt]

6. Wow!

Talk about paying it forward. All my best to her family.

:grouphug:

[deutsey]

7. Why did Violet hate America?

:sarcasm:

Seriously, I'm deeply moved by this story. Thanks for posting.

Rest in peace, Violet.

[liberal N proud]

8. That is both heartwarming and hear-wrenching at the same time

She was so generous at a time when she was suffering.

She must have had a high though from giving all that money away. Giving does that, it may have been great therapy for her as she knew she was not getting better.

[Historic NY]

9. "You’re born with nothing, you’re going to die the same way.”....

some people never hear that and are selfish to the end.

[Ohio Joe]

10. RIP - nt

[myrna minx]

11. What wonderful people - May she rest in peace. K&R n/t

[Solly Mack]

12. K&R

[RoadRage]

13. Stunning...

You always hope you'll be one of these people if you win the lottery.. but then to actually DO it is another thing entirely. Cancer? Same Car? Seriosly - this woman should have a shrine built in her name... she's done more good for others in her life then 99% of the world.

[bigwillq]

14. What an amazing woman.

May she RIP.

K and R

[ZombieHorde]

15. I admit I would have kept the money. nt

[DissedByBush]

34. Of what the government graciously allowed me to keep

I would have kept most of it. Got a decent house and cars, set up my kids for college and a nest egg, etc.

Then I'd put myself on a giving budget every year.

$10 million at only 3% return is still $300,000 a year, enough to live well with lots of room to give away a big chunk every year for the rest of my life -- but that depends on how much gets taken out in taxes first, that eats into the giving budget as well as the expensive toys budget.

Besides, with that freedom I'd probably set up a business and be making even more money. I could never just sit around.

[LiberalLovinLug]

49. No taxes on lottery winnings in Canada

So you'd have more to play with...and give away.

[shireen]

16. wow .... what a terrific couple

RIP, Violet ....

I've often thought about what I'd do if i won a big lottery like that. And it's very much like what they did. I'd keep a modest amount for financial stability for myself and family members, but give most of it away to local foundations helping the poor, animal rescue groups, wildlife conservation, and help a couple of friends expand their business.

[formercia]

17. That's what I call "Living Large."

To give a new meaning to an old saying.

[Ikonoklast]

18. I knew a guy that gave away a rather large sum of money to people in need.

When I asked if he had any regrets about doing so, he said the only regret was that he didn't have more money to give away, not because there was so much need in this world, it was that helping others was what made him happy.




I wish one day to be just like him.

[crazyjoe]

19. hmm, why did they even play the lottery then?

[sudopod]

21. :/ nt

[JANdad]

22. thats what I was wondering myself...

eom

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

23. My theory is they were planning to do precisely what they did.

What's yours?

[BobbyBoring]

27. That's the reason I play

If I won big, I would buy an apartment building to house people that need a second chance. They would work and learn a skill. If they fuck up, they're out.

I have no desire to have lots of money. I've seen first hand what it does~

[Broderick]

30. noble

me? They say you can't spend that much money. I will prove them wrong. I will be bankrupt like so many other lottery winners within a year or two, have jaundice from partying too much and then counsel others on what not to do.

[MedicalAdmin]

52. Trig?

[crazyjoe]

53. don't have one, doesn't make sense to me.

why waste the money?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

62. Eurk. Do you happen to have a recently deceased business partner by the name of Marley?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

64. By the way...

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/EvilCannotComprehendGood

[klook]

74. Wow. That's an amazing site.

Bookmarked for future reference - lots of interesting info there. Thanks!

...and the perfect response to that post, too, BTW

:yourock:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

75. Muahahaha!!! Got one more!

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TVTropesWillRuinYourLife

[LanternWaste]

24. I imagine it's a vast conspiracy to get...

I imagine it's a vast conspiracy to get the trendy cynics to question their own core beliefs.

[sudopod]

39. lol nt

[catrose]

48. Maybe to help their family members?

[DeSwiss]

58. You're never too old to learn something new about yourself. ;-D n/t

[fishwax]

60. so they could have the chance to give money away

:shrug:

[Lucian]

68. Good question.

Not only that, they gave money to the church. Like churches need the money.

[NewJeffCT]

71. Maybe they thought they would keep the earnings, but when they actually won

they had a change of heart.

[Maru Kitteh]

20. Now I have to go find my Kleenex.

What a wonderful and lovely person.

[sabrina 1]

25. Beautiful story,

thank you for posting!

RIP Beautiful person! :cry:

[riverwalker]

26. what an angel

[Ninga]

28. What a way to go out! She had the benefit of knowing she did earthly good before she passed. What

a blessing for her and those who benefited.

A special couple for sure, my condolences to her survivors.

[Broderick]

Just wow

I could never be that unselfish I think. Amazing to me.

[Broderick]

29. dupe

[Scurrilous]

32. K & R

:thumbsup:

[a2liberal]

33. K&R (n/t)

[WVRICK13]

35. Bless This Gentle Soul

She knew what was important and it was nothing money could buy, at least on a personal level. When I was diagnosed with cancer I was never afraid but it has left a lasting change on my life and priorities.

[rucky]

36. I don't exactly believe in heaven...

but if I did, I'd be positive she's there now.

[susanr516]

45. Agreed, Rucky nt

[Major Hogwash]

37. Wow, it's pretty hard to bring a hard guy like me to tears, but you managed.

I am beside myself wondering what I do in that situation.

[crazyjoe]

77. ewww....hard guy? too much information.

[Ken Burch]

38. Ayn Rand is spinning in her grave.

Violet was a great soul and so is her now-bereaved husband. I'm guessing Rush or Beck will be denouncing them in a day or so.

[Raine]

40. and they were happier and "richer" than people like the Kochroach brothers and their ilk

will ever be because they knew they had enough, it wasn't a matter of more, more, more.

[renate]

56. that is SO right!

Who will have gotten more out of life--these beautiful people or the Koch brothers?

[euphorb]

41. Can't do this in the US, though.

Unfortunately, US residents couldn't do this, unless they are independently wealthy. Lottery winnings are counted as taxable income, but you can only deduct up to 50% of your adjusted gross income each year for charitable gifts, and then only if they are registered charities -- no deductions for gifts to family members or other individuals. So, if you give away your entire lottery winnings to charity, you will still have to pay tax on about 50% of those winnings, and in the higher brackets (the exact amount will depend on your other income for the year).

[quiller4]

66. Most lottery winners in the states have the taxes on their winnings

deducted before they receive a penny. Then they would be free to give all they received away if they so chose. A Washington state lottery winner did exactly that last year.

[roguevalley]

42. its what you do, not what you say that tells who you are. she was an

angel among us.

[Uncle Joe]

43. Peace, healing and thanks to the Large Family

Thanks for the thread, Omaha Steve.:thumbsup:

[7wo7rees]

44. I'm already crying. It took two minutes to read that!

Do you have any idea how *rare* this is ??
This is that "Power of Love" you hear about.
The opposite of money is happiness.

[RagAss]

46. One in a Billion.

[InvisibleTouch]

50. Impressive. May she RIP knowing she did good. n/t

[Bozita]

51. a very respectful K&R

[MissDeeds]

54. Bless her heart

She was a wonderfully compassionate person who did much to enrich the lives of others. If there is a heaven, I hope it bestows all its glory on this dear lady.

RIP Mrs. Violet Large

O8)

[greiner3]

55. Great, but;

A church?

Oh well, no one's perfect.

[man4allcats]

57. RIP, Violet

and thank you for your thoughtfulness and remarkable generosity. Allen must be quite a guy to have spent a lifetime with someone like you.

[DeSwiss]

59. My kind of people. Huge K&R!!! - n/t

[applegrove]

61. What a great Nova Scotian.

[girl gone mad]

63. What a great story.

I bet she had fun giving it all away.

[JDPriestly]

65. What wonderful examples they are setting!

[klook]

70. Retired since 1983

when they were in their late 40s, if my math is correct.

Fantastic story. Thanks for posting.

'That money that we won was nothing,' Allen told the Toronto Star. 'We have each other.' - Daily Mail

.

[harmonicon]

72. If I can't be turned into a cyborg for 11.2 million, I might as well give up now. nt.

[Marrah_G]

76. What an amazing human being,