A Colorado man who had been homeless for more than six years finally got a little bit of luck Friday when he won $500,000 on a scratch-off lottery ticket.
Michael Engfors, 60, was born and raised in Aspen. After struggling with alcoholism, losing his business, and getting a divorce, he has been homeless for more than six years.
"Michael has seen a bottom that has pushed him right to the edge," Jeremy Kowalis with the Aspen Homeless Shelter said. "But Michael never gave up. He knew that if he kept pushing on, eventually his luck would change."
His luck did, indeed, change drastically on Friday. He purchased a lottery ticket, scratched off the very first number, and realized he won $500,000.
"It's such a great story, and it's really inspired so many people, because out of all of the people, especially in Aspen, Colorado, that could win half-a-million dollars, it couldn't happen to a better type of person, than somebody who actually uses the homeless shelter, that's for sure," Kowalis said. "I don't think he normally spends $10 a day on a lottery ticket. But he did that day, and it sure paid off."
After verifying that he actually won $500,000 at a gas station on Main St., Engfors went to Saint Mary Catholic Church where he spent one final weekend sleeping on the floor. He then shared the news with a small group of people.
"I asked him what he was gonna do, and he said he wanted to get some skis and he really wanted to connect with his daughter who he hadn't seen in over 20 years," Kowalis said. "He's interested in trying to find out how to go about reaching her and re-connecting with her, now that he's got a little bit more means to do so."
Engfors plans to purchase a plane ticket to go visit his daughter, wherever she may be.
The director of the Aspen Homeless Shelter drove Engfors to Grand Junction Monday to begin the process of collecting his earnings.
(Click to display full-size in gallery)
Thanks to Crazy Wombat for the tip.
TYTYTY!!!! <3
IN PERFECT WAYS UNDER GRACE!!! CONGRADULATIONS WHAT A WONDERFUL FRESH START FOR THIS PERSON!!!!
MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU!!!!!! <3
Great story! A fresh start and for what he's been through, he sure deserves it. Very, very happy for this man!
Keep going, no matter how bad things seem, there is light at the end of the tunnel even if it's not what's expected.
Life is full of ups and downs..some people have more downs than ups...ignore who is bad for you - after you give them
a piece of your mind, write them off....ignore who seems to be good for you but isn't, discover the difference...see what
people are and who is worth your time....I like stories like this when people who are down but not out yet, or even some
that are out, come out of it with smiles on their faces. I hope he can connect with his daughter again. It might've been
his ideas about himself holding him back. 20 years is a long time.
Find some joy and thankfulness in the small things, remember others, try to be a good person and a reward may be
lined up for you. If the best you can do is say you tried and didn't give up, that might be the best reward of all.
Again...very happy for him!!
Wow great <snip>*ng story. Congrats to the winner.
Thats great! Never give up on your dream! You never know what could or can happen! He is a PRIME example! If I was him I would buy a small house. That would be a good investment on his money. CONGRATS!!!
Congratulation to Michael Engfors on his win. Couldn't happen at a better time. He may be interested in re-connecting with his daughter, hopefully she feels the same after 20 years.
He was given another chance no doubt. So wish him well on his new found prosperity.
Hope he gets into a recovery program to deal with his addiction, or he could end up homeless again.
He must have done some praying before sleeping on the floor at St. Mary's Church.
NOW THIS IS WHAT THE LOTTERY IS FOR! Anybody can win and this man's win is wonderful, a feel good story.
This story was just on Fox News!
So great to hear at this time of the year..AMEN..
I hope good things start to come his way.
Cool ! Sounds like his priorities are in order.
No better time to win! many blessing and best wishes. He started a journey and came to end of that road and now he will begin new journey, may it be beautiful filled with scenic roads. What a wonderful story.
Good Luck to Michael Engfors!! Thank God for St.Mary's Catholic Church.
I hope that he spends what he keeps after taxes wisely.