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BREAKING NEWS
Winner of $144 Mega Millions jackpot announced
Despite claiming the largest prize in Texas Lottery history, Katy resident William R Kiefer wants no part of fame or fortune. This humble Texan only has three plans: retire, donate to worthy causes and encourage others to do the same.
“The greatest gift my parents gave me was to be raised a Christian,” Kiefer said. “I plan to give 60 percent of all after-tax winnings to charity.”
Kiefer said he sees his win as an opportunity to set an example for others regarding his faith and raise awareness for worthy causes such as abused children, relief for Haiti and support for retired nuns. He does not, however, wish to promote himself.
“I will not provide any interviews except with the Texas Catholic Herald,” he said.
Kiefer’s Quick Pick ticket matched all five numbers (1-10-22-23-38) plus the Mega Ball (19) for the Mega Millions drawing held Friday, Jan. 29. He will receive 26 annual payments totaling $144 million.
“We are proud to count Mr. Kiefer among our players. Many winners plan to give to charity, but I don’t think we’ve ever seen generosity quite like this,” said Texas Lottery Commission Deputy Executive Director Gary Grief.
“This is also an opportunity to remind our players that Texans really do win the big jackpots. With games like Mega Millions and Powerball in Texas, we will continue to support Texas education through the Foundation School Fund.
The Short Stop Market at 5304 E. Fifth St. in Katy also stands to gain from this win. For selling the winning ticket, the store is eligible for a retailer bonus of $1 million.
“The greatest gift my parents gave me was to be raised a Christian,” Kiefer said. “I plan to give 60 percent of all after-tax winnings to charity.”
Kiefer said he sees his win as an opportunity to set an example for others regarding his faith and raise awareness for worthy causes such as abused children, relief for Haiti and support for retired nuns. He does not, however, wish to promote himself.
“I will not provide any interviews except with the Texas Catholic Herald,” he said.
Kiefer’s Quick Pick ticket matched all five numbers (1-10-22-23-38) plus the Mega Ball (19) for the Mega Millions drawing held Friday, Jan. 29. He will receive 26 annual payments totaling $144 million.
“We are proud to count Mr. Kiefer among our players. Many winners plan to give to charity, but I don’t think we’ve ever seen generosity quite like this,” said Texas Lottery Commission Deputy Executive Director Gary Grief.
“This is also an opportunity to remind our players that Texans really do win the big jackpots. With games like Mega Millions and Powerball in Texas, we will continue to support Texas education through the Foundation School Fund.
The Short Stop Market at 5304 E. Fifth St. in Katy also stands to gain from this win. For selling the winning ticket, the store is eligible for a retailer bonus of $1 million.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of katytimes.com.
heather wrote on Feb 5, 2010 4:21 PM:
" Even if he gave 80% or 90% of his winnings to charity he'd still be a millionaire! C'mon, if he does not wish to promote himself then he needs to donate anonymously, not try to "raise awareness" or set any kind of example. I heard this man played the lottery every single day so don't tell me he wasn't in it to win it. I wonder if how much he would donate if he only won a couple thousand. "
mrscadden wrote on Feb 5, 2010 4:42 PM:
" The store that sold the winning ticket gets alot more than a dollar. they get a percentage of the winning jackpot. "
truthsayer wrote on Feb 5, 2010 4:48 PM:
" Here we go again...more bloodsuckers coming out and thinking someone who wins a prize or lottery owes them something. The fact that he is willing to give away ANY money makes him a hero. Congratulations to the winner and good luck to him dealing with the leeches that will crawl his way. "
Nathan wrote on Feb 5, 2010 5:55 PM:
" The editorial staff at the Katy Times really needs to examine their career paths as the last line in this story is obviously incorrect. This comes after the the print version that showed up in my mailbox a few days ago had two major typos ON THE FRONT PAGE! Learn to spell and learn to get the facts right. "
Ed Price wrote on Feb 6, 2010 11:19 AM:
" I hope he gives the 60% to a decent charity like Unicef or something and doesn't waste it on a Christian church with a flashy preacher. "
SickofRickPerry wrote on Feb 6, 2010 2:58 PM:
" So Texas Lottery Commission Deputy Executive Director Gary Grief, Texans do win big jackpots you say? Yeah, only those that live around the Houston area. Folks in North Texas have to go to Oklahoma to win anything. Houston and the surrounding cities have been the big winners since the lottery came to Texas. Kind of fishy that all of the big money stays down south. I'll keep taking my money to OKlahoma. "
Princess01 wrote on Feb 6, 2010 6:14 PM:
" The man won the LOTTERY!! He can announce his donations if he won! That doesn't mean he doesn't do it from his HEART! Yes!!! He played the lottery to win!! DON'T WE ALL!! Come on people get over it!! He was just lucky and so what! Maybe you will never win because YOU are just an envious person! Some people win and don not donate a cent! THE FACT IS HE IS A MILLIONAIR AND YOU ARE NOT!! He can spend his money as he pleases!! GET A LIFE!! "
Princess wrote on Feb 6, 2010 6:26 PM:
" I just want for Mr. Kiefer to be aware of how much help his donation to charity for Diabetes would help many Americans. I work for a Pediatric Specialist for Diabetes Mellitus in another state and with the economy being as bad as it is, even the patients with private insurance can't afford to pay for there copay for all their mediations every month. I wish there was some kind of charity who would assist parents with copays of mediations or even follow-up appointments. A private practice has to legally charge the copay for a visit . It just breaks my heart to know some kids are not getting the treatment they need due to monetary situations. The most I can do is provide parents a few samples of insulin. Mr. Kiefer please consider the need for Americans also. Most of this parents are parents who don't qualify for government insurance because they make just a few more dollars over the limit, even for any patient assistance program. If I ever win the lottery I am going to create such charity because it is needed. "
Dornel wrote on Feb 6, 2010 8:16 PM:
" I think its great that someone in our area won this lottery...hope he uses it wisely. Good luck to him, and dont let the sour grapes bother him. :=) "
bkelly wrote on Feb 7, 2010 7:49 AM:
" I think this is the same guy I used to work with on second shift, he was a inspector in the machine shop. anyway, way to go william! "
Pay it forward wrote on Feb 9, 2010 5:50 PM:
" I htink it's great that he is giving more than 60% to worthy charities. Most people posting these comments would never consider anyone but themselves. I don't know him but I applaud his effort and contribution to making the world a better place. It's people like this bring happiness to others. "
Brenda wrote on Feb 10, 2010 10:10 AM:
" I
To Ed: your comment "waste it on a Christian church with a flashy preacher" tells me you are NOT a Christian. Would you rather he give it to a church that's NOT Christian that doesn't have a flashy preacher? "
To Ed: your comment "waste it on a Christian church with a flashy preacher" tells me you are NOT a Christian. Would you rather he give it to a church that's NOT Christian that doesn't have a flashy preacher? "
ChristianCatholic wrote on Feb 11, 2010 8:00 AM:
" The article reads that he will give his comments to the Catholic Herald. Brenda....are you saying that Catholics are not Christian??? Jesus is our saviour as is He yours, we both pray to the same God my friend. Educate yourself if that is what your were implying. Our priests take a vow of poverty, they "scrape" by and when they retire they have nothing. Personally I would love to see him help build a decent place for retired priests to live and to help take care of them. Whatever he choses, I have great respect for him for picking his cause and sharing, no matter what faith. "
janet wrote on Feb 12, 2010 4:56 PM:
" i hope people leave him alone.... and don't start begging for him to donate to THEIR cause. He won, his choice. Sounds like a good man. "
does it matter wrote on Feb 14, 2010 12:04 AM:
" Be thankful that he is giving it to people that have made a difference in his life. We as tax payers give money to unworthy, non-working people everyday. Congratulations to anyone that prospers in our world and makes an honest decision. My choices may be different but for the right reasons. "
domination wrote on Feb 5, 2010 4:02 PM: