N.J. family that won $429 million lottery jackpot is 'praying' it forward

Oct 1, 2018, 10:30 am (22 comments)

After the Big Win

When Pearlie Mae Smith and her seven adult children won a $429.6 million Powerball jackpot in 2016, they promised to give 10 percent of their winnings — the largest jackpot ever won in New Jersey — to their church and to help others.

Almost immediately, the Trenton family donated a portion of their winnings to set up the Smith Family Foundation to dole out grants to charities that support their mission to give back to the community. They view their windfall as a way to uphold their strong faith and continue to bless others, but in an even bigger way.

"This is all about God's work," said Katherine Nunnally, 42, executive director of the foundation and one of seven siblings who shared the jackpot with their mother. "The money allowed the story to unfold the way God intended it."

The family had the single winning ticket for the sixth-largest jackpot in Powerball history at the time. With the lump-sum option chosen, the ticket was worth $284 million before taxes. Pearlie Mae, who said at the time that she rarely gambled, bought two tickets and spent an extra $1 on each for the "Power Play" option.

Pearlie Mae, now 72, credited divine intervention with providing her with the numbers in a dream. Family members were stunned to learn that they were the sole winners of what was then one of the biggest lottery jackpots.

"Wow. That's what it's like," she said at the time at a news conference.

After days of speculation, the winners came forward on May 13, a Friday. They had already hired a team of lawyers, an accountant, a money manager, a life coach, and met with previous jackpot winners.

(See NJ family of 8 claims $429.6 million Powerball lottery jackpot, Lottery Post, May 13, 2016.)

They paid off mortgages and student loans, took vacations and splurged a little on new houses. They shared the winnings with their large extended family. Most who were not already retired kept working. Pearlie Mae, a widow, still drives her old Subaru and remains in the background, spending most of her time as the pastor at Calvary Pentecostal Church in Trenton.

The family immediately kept two promises at the top of Pearlie Mae's list: to tithe 10 percent and to break ground on a new church in Bridgeton for the Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, based in Philadelphia, which oversees their denomination of more than 50,000 members. The family put up $750,000 to build the church, according to the foundation's tax filing.

"This was one of the first things on her [Pearlie Mae's] plate," said Nunnally, one of six sisters. The 400-seat church, on a 133-acre site in Cumberland County, should be completed later this year, she said.

The family used $8 million to create the Smith Family Foundation to make "socially impactful investments" in Trenton and purchased a building for $116,000 a few blocks from the Statehouse for the headquarters. The foundation sponsors educational and cultural programs, including artist showcases.

The private grant-making foundation made $780,483 in donations in 2016, according to its 2016 tax return, the latest available. Besides the Bridgeton church, other recipients included Trenton-area churches, a parent advocacy group, a family and child development center, and the Rutgers Foundation. Nunnally said the foundation has given out about $1 million and family members individually have given away more than $16 million.

Nunnally said the family abides by the biblical principle of "sowing and reaping." The eight Smith children (a brother, Anthony, died in a car accident in 1994) grew up in a three-bedroom home in a tough neighborhood in South Trenton. Their mother, a paraprofessional at their neighborhood elementary school and their father, Seamus, a steel-mill worker who died in 1989, stressed the importance of faith, education, and giving back to the community.

Even before they won the lottery, family members were involved in the community. Nunnally, a former Newark public school teacher, started a girl's mentoring program. Valerie Arthur, 54, a retired state corrections administrator, had a prison ministry.

"The lottery helped to accelerate what we want to do on a larger scale," Arthur said.

Like their mother, the siblings carefully protect their privacy, revealing few details about their backgrounds. Nunnally said they remain the same humble family that gets together once a month for dinner and attends Sunday worship at their mother's church.

After winning the jackpot, family members were bombarded with calls and visits from strangers who showed up on their doorsteps asking for assistance. The inquiries have waned, partly because the family conducts its philanthropy to nonprofits only through the foundation.

Personal finance adviser Lynnette Khalfani-Cox said such "structured and impactful" philanthropy by lottery winners is rare. Many often fall victim to the "lottery winners' curse," unable to manage a windfall and the sob stories from relatives and strangers with their hands out, she said.

"They've literally been a textbook case of what to do," said Khalfani-Cox. "They're demonstrating the power of what money can do in a very positive way."

Besides donations, the foundation holds workshops and gives grants designed to help groups empower others through education, neighborhood development, Christian education and youth, and family programs. The foundation doesn't provide direct funding to individuals.

By investing in Trenton's neighborhoods, the family hopes to instill pride and improve the quality of life in the city of 85,000 where more than one in four residents live in poverty.

For the second year, the foundation awarded $100,000 in grants in February to a dozen nonprofits selected from about 100 applicants. The recipients included the Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, and the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

The Girl Scouts has expanded programs at 11 locations in Trenton to reach more than 300 under-served girls with a $10,000 grant from the foundation, said Jenna Fenstermacher, a fund development associate.

"This is one of the few grants targeted for girls in Trenton," Fenstermacher said.

The Children's Home Society is using a $10,000 grant to offer free weekly adult English classes to Slavic immigrants, said Ann Massa, a vice president. About 60 people are expected to complete the program by December, she said.

"Every day, it keeps growing. It's amazing," Massa said.

The foundation has also supported a youth basketball league, a jazz and comedy festival, donated backpacks and computers to a nonprofit that services at-risk children, and has given 250 care baskets to local first-generation college students. In the headquarters' basement, a youth lounge has been set up to provide a safe after-school hang-out where high school students can do their homework, get tutoring, and take music lessons.

Earlier this month, staff members and volunteers sorted boxes of 400 powder-blue and khaki school uniforms that were donated Tuesday to Clara Parker Elementary, where Pearlie Mae worked and her children attended school. Every student in the K-through-5 school received a new uniform.

"This is where their roots are. It's a blessing," said principal Lorcha Lewis.

Most of the extended Smith family, which includes 29 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, are involved in running the foundation, most as volunteers. Nunnally gets a $22,000 salary and Arthur $5,400. The other siblings and their mother serve on the board of directors.

On Oct. 6, the foundation is holding its inaugural "Stars Awards" program to honor community leaders such as David "Poppy" Sanderson, the longtime Trenton High athletic trainer, and promote the gritty city of 85,000.

"We want to highlight that there are good things that come out of Trenton," said Teela Smith, 34, a granddaughter who volunteers with the foundation.

Most of the foundation's work is restricted to Trenton, but the family has extended its philanthropy beyond the city. In 2016, the foundation invested $16,000 to build a one-room school in Haiti's second-largest city, Saint Michel de l'Atalaye. After visiting the school, the family decided to add five more classrooms and a cafeteria/multipurpose room.

The School of Flowers, slated for completion by December, currently has 60 students and will eventually enroll about 120 students who will attend for free, said Arthur, the foundation's chairman.

The lottery windfall has allowed family members to follow their passions, mostly through the foundation but also through solo projects such as "Jackie's Place," run by sister Jackie Sessoms that provides the "Christmas experience" to seven families with gifts and meals. Arthur heads an urban ministry, Christ Centered in the City, and has made trips to Haiti, delivering suits and 150 Bibles in Creole to pastors. Another sister, Rene Smith, is pursuing a bachelor's in urban planning at Rutgers. Steven Smith left his technology job to launch a new career in real estate.

"To us, the money is secondary," said Nunnally. "What's more important is the idea of sowing seeds. We fully believe that God gave us the financial ability to work for his Kingdom."'

The "Stars Awards" will be held on Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton.

For tickets and more information about the Smith Family Foundation visit www.sffnj.org.

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Thanks to fellini for the tip.

The Inquirer

Comments

BuyLow's avatarBuyLow

"They've literally been a textbook case of what to do," said Khalfani-Cox. "They're demonstrating the power of what money can do in a very positive way."

 

Yes Nod Hurray! Thumbs Up

music*'s avatarmusic*

There is no talk of a "Lottery Curse" here. On the contrary, Christ is the center of their world.

 Congratulations to the entire community!Big Grin Angel

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

I can only think of one word to sum up this family and their actions....... "Class"

Thumbs Up

lejardin's avatarlejardin

Now this is what a lottery win is all about keeping their word, following God, a real feel good story.

amber124

That's very nice of them, however I hope they save a majority of the money for themselves and not go broke in 5 years.

Sorrento's avatarSorrento

Quote: Originally posted by amber124 on Oct 1, 2018

That's very nice of them, however I hope they save a majority of the money for themselves and not go broke in 5 years.

Somehow I doubt it since they seem very modest and focused on giving and on others.  No Lambos, race car drivers or movie stars in the story so they should be good.  And they dealt with the problem of beggars at their door and on the phone by creating a foundation for their charity.  They sound super organized and I would think less likely to fritter away money willy nilly. 

On another post, someone mentioned that winning the lottery doesn't change a person but magnify who they are.  How true in this case.  A loving, close family magnified.  This was a very nice, heart warming story.

music*'s avatarmusic*

Quote: Originally posted by Sorrento on Oct 1, 2018

Somehow I doubt it since they seem very modest and focused on giving and on others.  No Lambos, race car drivers or movie stars in the story so they should be good.  And they dealt with the problem of beggars at their door and on the phone by creating a foundation for their charity.  They sound super organized and I would think less likely to fritter away money willy nilly. 

On another post, someone mentioned that winning the lottery doesn't change a person but magnify who they are.  How true in this case.  A loving, close family magnified.  This was a very nice, heart warming story.

I Agree! creating a Foundation is very important. Direct all the beggars there. I will still hire a money manager to handle the begging as well. 

 "winning the lottery doesn't change a person but magnifies who they are". So true when looking at past winners who failed the tests that a lottery brings.

 This story is a success story.

partlycloudy07

What a wonderful blessing of how this family is being used for the greater good in their community ..they were blessed and being a blessing to others as well . Pay it forward  b/c its like a ripple effect that small seed of numbers planted in her dream has expanded into absolute joy for all that they have touched by their blessing. Kudo's to that family and Pearlie Mae

ekem6078's avatarekem6078

Kudos to this family. Just goes to show ya.  The more you give, the more he'll give to you.  God Bless this family for giving back.

noise-gate

Remember those influential Mississippi Baptist leaders, who said that lotteries were spiritually corrupting and the games created unrealistic hopes for people who struggle to pay their own living expenses? Those folks have probably now heard of Pastor Pearlie Mae. They would probably also say " She is Pentecostal, us Baptist Pastors, we don't do that stuff down here!... while licking their lips."Roll Eyes

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

They already paid if forward with the confiscatory taxes that they paid!

Just my opinion.

That doesn't take away from the fact that they are very nice people.

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by dpoly1 on Oct 2, 2018

They already paid if forward with the confiscatory taxes that they paid!

Just my opinion.

That doesn't take away from the fact that they are very nice people.

This family met with savvy attorney's before spending a dime, imo. I mean, they plowed serious cash into their own foundation,building a church and simultaneously putting the brakes on parasites, coming for handouts, just because they could.it's a win win situation for this family, no matter how you look at it.

Sorrento's avatarSorrento

I'm sure there are some tax deductions from running the foundation as well as all the charitable work.  Good on them for keeping as much of it as they can from the IRS black hole so that more can go to their charity recipients.

MsBee18

Pearlie Mae, now 72, still drives her old Subaru. One of the first I'd do if she was my mom is take her to pick out a big Mercedes Benz or one of those six figure SUV's.

weshar75's avatarweshar75

I beat that money they won will last them quiet awhile with all the charitable work they do.  Good for them.-weshar75

US Flag

benir4u's avatarbenir4u

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, AND ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD.Party

sweetie7398's avatarsweetie7398

Quote: Originally posted by Sorrento on Oct 1, 2018

Somehow I doubt it since they seem very modest and focused on giving and on others.  No Lambos, race car drivers or movie stars in the story so they should be good.  And they dealt with the problem of beggars at their door and on the phone by creating a foundation for their charity.  They sound super organized and I would think less likely to fritter away money willy nilly. 

On another post, someone mentioned that winning the lottery doesn't change a person but magnify who they are.  How true in this case.  A loving, close family magnified.  This was a very nice, heart warming story.

A beautiful storyI Agree!

MsBee18

Quote: Originally posted by benir4u on Oct 2, 2018

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, AND ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD.Party

Benir you write and sound a lot like THRIFTY. He uses the same cliches in his posts. Cheers

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by weshar75 on Oct 2, 2018

I beat that money they won will last them quiet awhile with all the charitable work they do.  Good for them.-weshar75

US Flag

It's impossible to lose, when you directly helping kids weshar75.

KY Floyd's avatarKY Floyd

"They already paid if forward with the confiscatory taxes that they paid!"

Funny, I would have bet good money that you didn't approve that much of how the government spends the tax money.

Oleanna

Now that is how you win! To paraphrase Albert Einstein, "Never do anything against conscience, even if the state demands it or people"

Quanchill

Quote: Originally posted by Oleanna on Oct 31, 2018

Now that is how you win! To paraphrase Albert Einstein, "Never do anything against conscience, even if the state demands it or people"

yes sure sure..thats how you win. get lucky you lions head..an hippo your self to the headquarters lotterty win. now i'll give most of it away... an pretend we such a good dude person girls or guys. give a little sure but to ninja fox an clammer it all? oh nahhh doo!  every winner always say..hey my friend we will give to this charity... ok I see...you see? we get it.. but why now does it sound so forced...liek its part of the dreal..."ye must give to charity or ye our bad person, or if not dragons breath..tonic to shame.. ye do not have to actually but atleast say ye will" perhaps I ye will... but I will not say. i wan tto live peace an harmony..with that money an help a friend or a family to the moon. maybe after looking for appropriate charity... xray visions..of heated dung..will give some maybe, bhaby. checking your selves to make sure that your charity is legit an not keeping most post money most for themsleves...

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