Day three in the lives of Georgia's newest multi-millionaires began with a round of interviews on Monday morning television shows for the winners of Friday night's $270 million Mega Millions jackpot.
Robert and Tonya Harris were expected to present their winning ticket to Georgia Lottery officials later in the day for validation, but Tonya Harris said early Monday that the couple's family was already plotting ways to spend some of the windfall.
Robert Harris, a 47-year-old iron worker from the small southeast Georgia hamlet of Portal, said he picked the winning numbers — 7, 12, 13, 19, 22, plus the Mega Ball number 10 — based on his grandchildren's birthdays.
At a family dinner over the weekend, those grandchildren began discussing what they wanted from the winnings, Tonya Harris said.
"A dirt bike. Four-wheelers. A Hummer 3, on and on and on," she said in an interview on Fox 5's Good Day Atlanta. "Things you dream about, as far as the Hummer 3's. Still, it just hasn't dawned on us yet that you can just go out and get it."
Tonya Harris said she doesn't want to be changed by the newfound wealth.
"We've really never had a whole lot in life," she said. "We've lived check-by-check. We want to build a home, get some land, do things for the grand babies, maybe travel a little bit. But as far as buying fancy things, that's not us."
Her husband told Fox 5 the one thing he had always wanted that he will now buy is a "big four-wheel drive truck."
Earlier Monday, Tonya Harris told CNN that "God blessed us... God is a good God."
She said the attention is "still just overwhelming to us."
The Harrises plan to have a "good friend" who is a lawyer and CPA set up their finances "for future generations."
"Hopefully, things will go well even after we're gone," she said.
Robert Harris said he plans to take the winnings in a lump sum. According to the Georgia Lottery Corp., that's about $164 million before taxes.
Harris said he and his wife would soon move out of their mobile home, but he wasn't sure they'd move out of town.
The ticket was sold at Clyde's Market on U.S. 80 in Portal, a farming town of about 600 between Statesboro and Swainsboro.
First, I congradulate them for their winnings. I was hoping it was one family. I sure wish iy was mine, but Im not hating.
I know that LP members are just divided on the "anonomity issue" as the country is divided Republican vs. Democrat; or Obama vs. Clinton; male or female. The fact that they have come out and made the talk show rounds, really starting Sunday, while tax, legal and financial businesses are closed disturbs me for their sake. Even Lottery officials will tell you to take some time to get credible advice from tax, legal and financial persons.
$164,000,000 is no chump change.
NADER 4 PRESIDENT 2008 !!!
as for the lucky stiffs .... and thar dreams of a H3 and such nonsense I still say I hope they end up on our list of what not to do when ya get that lucky
He's just
he didn't win...... hater..
If Nader becomes president, then America might have to change its name to USSA,
like the old USSR. Get the drift?
Well I don't hope for their downfall. I hope things work out for them and their family. Why wish bad things on these people?
Just think: If Nader would have won that $270 million Mega Millions jackpot he could finance his campaign.
:)
Her husband told Fox 5 the one thing he had always wanted that he will now buy is a "big four-wheel drive truck."
My hubby has told me if we win this is what he wants as well.
"Mega lottery winners to leave 'check-by-check."
Yeah, no crap. God? I doubt it, it is called luck.
I don't get it, they said "Thank God, God is a good God". In the Christian Religion, gambling, like lottery, is a sin. Winning the lottery is not something you thank God for.
Gambling is only a sin if you're betting the rent money leaving your family for the church to care for and don't give 10% of your winnings to the church. There are some fringes that won't take bingo money and such, one even told a winner to burn their lottery ticket. God doesn't care if you play lotto, it is a state approved activity. If you're worried about evil money just send it to me and I will clean it for you. Be warned though, sometimes the cleaning process also removes all the ink, you might get back white paper.
BobP
"Robert Harris, a 47-year-old iron worker from the small southeast Georgia hamlet of Portal, said he picked the winning numbers — 7, 12, 13, 19, 22, plus the Mega Ball number 10 — based on his grandchildren's birthdays."
I gotta say this certainly marks paid to the theory about not playing only birthday numbers because you'll have to share the prize with dozens of other winners. Everything we know is wrong.
BobP
it depends on what their definition of gambling is.....to some, gambling is strictly dice and cards. Besides.....the bible says "In all thy ways acknowledge him". All means the good and the bad and if you would consider this the bad then they still followed his word by giving the Glory to God.
For the one's who are posting negative remarks. Hey can't you just be happy someone who really needs a better way of life finally got a chance at it? I hope they use it well and buy what they want and help out their famlies.
More power to them. Seems like they're regular folks. I'm sure they're well grounded in family, friends and are good, down to earth people who'll do the best they can with this. They don't seem like the kind of folks who'll end up like David Edwards, et al.
Does anyone know how much they'll get after taxes?
The fun thing about playing the lottery is the chance to actually win. I would probably do the same thing; not even think about winning until someone reminded me of it.
Best of luck to them. I really, really doubt if they'll end up messing the whole win up.
In your other posts, you called this couple: "idiots", "HUMAN TURDS" and you posted at least a couple of times that you hope they will end up on your list of what not to do when you win the lottery. It is not funny hearsetrax. Do you really think that because you are hiding behind a moniker, the words you write will not condemn you?
I noticed it to and he comes off as being a bit jealous. Sadly, some people have nothing better to do, then to wish negativity on others.
Congratulations to the Harris family, good for them, WTG!!!
I would normally not want to start a religious argument but your point is not well founded.
Read Acts (1:26) - the Apostles "drew lots" to divine the will of God in selecting a replacement for Judas Iscariot.
It is Christian doctrine to thank God for his Grace - which is "unmerited favor". Hopefully the money will turn out to be a blessing to their family and through them, to their community.
Even if you decide to go public and not use an anonymous trust, why do you have to announce your name to the world the next day, before you've had a chance to think about anything? Would it kill them to think about this for a week and then go public? I guess it would. The "attention is overwhelming"? No sh*t, Sherlock. It looks like they are going to the Jack Whittaker school of idiotic lottery winning.
>Earlier Monday, Tonya Harris told CNN that "God blessed us... God is a good God."
Wow, God wants them to win $270 million. God wants Manny Ramirez to hit a home run too. I guess God wants a few people to be really rich and famous, but is not so concerned with the poor huddled masses these days.
Hands down, the best part of this lucky couple's story was the power outage! Robert drove to the store, filled out his bet slip in his car, went inside and the lottery machine was down due to bad weather/rain. He went home without playing that very important slip, but asked his wife to go back and play it. Can you imagine if they didn't pursue it or the wife was too tired or didn't feel like going? Power outages can really wreck havoc with people's futures/lives - Thank goodness for the Harris' that they didn't let it wreck havoc in theirs!
i am there with you. Just as we've learned in the past few months some felons have won various lotto jackpots.
They will lose it all n 7 years. Going public before you claim the prize. oh well...they will have jack whittakitis.
Hey Guys,
Has anyone seen the Cruise condo on the travel channel.
I think it would be an good escape after a 270 million jackpot. See the world in style and privacy. It cost about 2 million but it is worth it. Just a dream for now.
You all have to realize that not everyone knows about the downfall of some past lottery winners. Especially if they don't access the internet or do their research of what to do when you win. I can bet that all of us on here have done our own research. I know I have.
.
I know that if I ever win a jackpot, I wouldnt give 10% of it to the church. I mean.. Why should I ?!? Is God going to be mad at me if I don't ? The main thing about your religion is that you have faith in it and believe in your own special way. There's no need to give any of it away to the church. All they do is pocket it and give the Vatican most of it and they got more money than they will ever need as it is. When that basket comes around to make a donation, it's like they should have a note on it saying 'Pay for your sins!'(another guilt tactic). It's a big business for some religions...always looking for handouts and making you feel guilty to give money. I believe in God and Jesus and that's all I need to get me into his Kingdom when it's my time. Donations wont get me in, that's for sure! If I were to make any contributions, I'd help the poor people personally by building some homes for them to keep them off the street and out of the cold, or volunteer my time to work in a food kitchen. Most donations don't end up where it's intended except for the back pockets of cons.
All I have to say is Congrats to this family and hope they enjoy their windfall.
I personally think these people are morons, and I'm entitled to my opinion. I mean, they won Friday...a few days later they're all over the news. Everyone feels differently about publicity, personally, I'd probably do a few interviews myself and enjoy my 15 minutes, but I do have a problem with how soon they cam forward. I would bet any amount of money that the did not consult with any financial advisors, lawyers, accountants, etc. I don't think you should have to do research to treat over 100 million dollars differently than 100k. And now they're talking about all the things they want to buy...which is great, I just hope they have a plan because yeah it's a lot of money, but it's still spendable. Especially when you have a family who will be knocking on the door in addition to all of the people who just saw them on the news. Poor planning...I hope I'm wrong, but this looks like another E! True Hollywood tragedy!
What difference does it make whether they consulted experts yet. They are gonna tell them to take the lump sum. What difference does it make on how soon they come forward? Geeesh! This is so much money that they will be able to buy many things without touching principal. I wish the winners good luck and enjoy it. i am sure the experts will have been consulted by the time the money rolls around.
There's nothing in the Christian Bible that states or implies gambling is a sin. Overindulgence is the sin that is most offen referred to in regards to drinking, eating etc.
Doesn't the story specifically say something about them having a lawyer or CPA friend that they are in contact with or will be contacting. They hadn't even turned in the ticket. So they are still on track to do the right thing. Right now they are just riding the publicity wave. And if you don't know better, which a lot of people don't, this can initially appear be really exciting and fun. Only later when the numerous phone calls and visits to their front door will their tune change.
But again, those of you complaining about their actions are basically preaching to the choir. WE know this stuff already, and it's not like the Harris' are going to read our posts and become enlightened. Yeah, it would be great if everyone who played the lottery read the do's and don'ts of winning a huge jackpot, but that's not gonna happen.
I hope he checks into a hotel because there will a mob of people waiting for him outside his house asking and begging for handouts.
Yeah I guess the rest of us are just not worthy of God's praise yet.
"Negative" is a matter of personal perception, I see them as factual remarks. Why should I be happy for them? I do not know them from Adam, and I am willing to bet I had a lot worse of a life than they did, especially in the past. Personally I could really care less if they won or not. However I think claiming that God helped them is a little ridiculous, as I am sure there are far more deserving candidates still awaiting "God's" help and not getting crap.
I would rather be honest with how I feel as opposed to throwing "fake" happiness remarks out there. Would they be happy if I won? I doubt it. Apparently God favors felons too, maybe that is the problem here. No, it is all about luck of the draw. There is no rhyme of reason behind it. It is easy to give God credit when "good" people win, but then everyone scratches their head when a sex offender gets $10 million. Then it HAD to be luck right?
Don't worry about it, He doesn't have much time to enjoy it anyway. Accorrding to the Mayan dooms day event the world is going to end 12.21.2012 . He was wise to take the cash. lol Enjoy life and be good to your fellow man.
It would have been cooler if it was 12.21.2112
And you know that those of us who give others happy remarks are being "fake"?
Go ahead and continue to be negative, jealous and bitter it's your right, but don't assume that you can read the minds and hearts of those of us who are genuinely happy for others when they come into good fortune.
Its called, "Common Grace" where God blesses the Wicked and the good accorrding to his will.
Sorry I just call it as I see it. Whether you agree with my opinion or not is irrelevant. Jealous and bitter? Hardly. I am sure though you are just ecstatic about their win, and overjoyed every second of the day. I don't get jealous of what others have, all I care about is what I need personally. Focus on how other idiots blow money on overpriced hummers does not make me bitter it makes me laugh. Their lack of originality also makes me laugh.
I totally agree, not everyone has access to lottery post as us fortunates, this guy is a working stiff, that means well. He did appear a little troubled at the press conf. I wouldn't have come out so early, actually, I wouldn't have come out at all. I'd be in Beverly Hills Morgan Stanley 2nd day, and by the 3rd day a posh hotel-bar and restaurant downstairs elevator upstairs, Glock in back pocket. That's how I'd roll. No one would know, as they say " I got people".
I'm not ecstatic over their win. I am glad that a nice couple won. Apparently, what others do with their money and how they talk to the press gets you upset. But you go ahead and pretend that these people winning doesn't bother you.
It's not like everyone can read your comments and see for themselves how you feel.
Winning the lottery is the largest dream a person can have other than cures for illnesses.
If your dream is owning a big four wheel truck, by all means work out a way to make that dream come true. Life is short.
What is even more humorous is that my so-called "upset" opinion is getting you upset, when these people could care less about either of us. I am not upset, although I may be slightly annoyed when people spend money stupidly because they have no character or intelligence, which seems to be about 90% or more of winners. There have been a lot of other winners besides this believe it or not, I don't care about them either.
But what you seem to fail to realize is, that this is a "discussion board" meant to discuss/debate varying opinions and thoughts, not just those that agree with yours, fake or not.