It can happen... from broke to lots of bucks

Comment #17

CASH Only — Tue, 16 Dec 2003 13:11:35 GMT

S-Systems:Since he took annuity, he is limited in what he can do with his winnings.

Comment #16

SuccessSystems — Tue, 16 Dec 2003 00:07:07 GMT

I was truly touched when I saw this story on the news. Jim's mom used to babysit me when I was little and Jim was ALWAYS absolutely devoted to his mom. He is an extremely humble and modest man of unshakable character. We should all be more like him.I moved away from Cal Park 10 years ago on a quest to get out of that poverty stricken, crime ridden area. Because he was so quiet and kept to himself, very few knew of his plight and there are hundreds of people who would have helped him if we ha... [ More ]

Comment #15

CASH Only — Sat, 13 Dec 2003 13:07:51 GMT

RJ:The ticket holder should have been thankful Illinois Lotto has a cash option. If it were the Mass 6/42 or 6/49 he would have been FORCED to receive annuity payments.

Comment #14

RJOh — Fri, 12 Dec 2003 20:14:20 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by CASH Only on December 12, 2003 If he took the annuity, then he probably was VERY foolish. I bet he doesn't feel VERY foolish regardless of how he receives his money.

Comment #13

fja — Fri, 12 Dec 2003 17:59:29 GMT

another one for the good guys!! way to go.

Comment #12

bigmoney — Fri, 12 Dec 2003 17:19:46 GMT

Yo James. Remember me. I'm your long, long, long, long, lost sister on the 5th generation.

Comment #11

CASH Only — Fri, 12 Dec 2003 17:02:18 GMT

If he took the annuity, then he probably was VERY foolish.

Comment #10

phantomelm — Fri, 12 Dec 2003 07:08:09 GMT

I am happy to see someone who needs it win,too. maybe the ticket was a present from someone who thought he needed it ,or maybe ,from the way he was talking ,it was going to be the last he bought,and he lucked out,or maybe he had a dream or just felt lucky. or maybe his angel was watching out for him.

Comment #9

Blimey — Fri, 12 Dec 2003 01:34:47 GMT

He took the annuity....

Comment #8

chunnybunny29 — Thu, 11 Dec 2003 20:25:22 GMT

Nice warm fuzzy story.Thats wh

Comment #7

vincejr — Thu, 11 Dec 2003 19:11:01 GMT

Personally, I think his friend is steering him right....My guess is the 91 Caddy is all the guy really needs right now and certainly is a heck of a lot cheaper than a new one. Why spend money on a new car just because you can

Comment #6

whodeani — Thu, 11 Dec 2003 17:47:06 GMT

Yeah I know it doesn't mention if he took the the lump sum or not but I hope that he would.

Comment #5

CASH Only — Thu, 11 Dec 2003 17:08:41 GMT

The story does not mention whether he took (or is taking) the lump sum.

Comment #4

whodeani — Thu, 11 Dec 2003 16:54:39 GMT

Yes that is a nice story. Don't get the 1991 Caddy with 155K miles on it though. You just got about $2 million after taxes and you buy a 12 year old car. Go out and get that new Caddy.

Comment #3

fxdwg — Thu, 11 Dec 2003 16:00:07 GMT

nice heartwarming story however down on luck living on charity and still found money to buy a lottery ticket

Comment #2

Rick G — Thu, 11 Dec 2003 11:14:54 GMT

One of the coolest lottery stories I've ever read...puts faith in fate and life in perspective for all of us. The '91 Caddy with 155K miles on it was the clincher.

Comment #1

numbersman — Thu, 11 Dec 2003 10:55:01 GMT

Good things comes to the needy. Just a little faith goes a long way.

It can happen... from broke to lots of bucks

Lottery Post — Thu, 11 Dec 2003 09:59:59 GMT

James Gatzke was struggling with depression, and living off handouts and charity, with only his seven cats for company, when he hit the jackpot.Three weeks ago, the unemployed 44-year-old was eating beef stew out of a can, and scraping by on food and cash donations from neighbours and charities.His water and power supply had long been cut off, he hadn't worked since August when he was laid off from his job as a cab driver, and he hadn't bathed in months. All I wanted for Christmas was to have di... [ More ]