How many times have you thought: If only I had a million dollars right now, my problems would just disappear. Well, one man just revealed that he not only won $40 million in last May's Calgary lotto -- the largest lotto prize ever awarded in the Canadian city -- but that he could care less. He isn't planning on keeping a single penny of it! Instead, the former CEO of EECOL Electric will be donating his prize money to various cancer organizations in honor of his late wife, who died two years ago from lung cancer.
Tom Crist doesn't sound like the kind of man who feels comfortable giving interviews and posing for photos. The 64-year-old waited all this time before coming forward to announce his winnings to the media -- a lotto requirement if you win a big jackpot. Admitting that he has done well for himself over the years and has enough money to take care of his four children, Crist's only plans with his lotto earnings is to deposit the money into a family trust fund and have it doled out to various cancer charities over the next few years.
The altruistic Canadian was married to his wife, Jan, for 33 years before she passed away from lung cancer in February 2012. She was only 57. Crist knows for sure that he is giving back to one treatment center called Tom Baker that he says cared for his wife throughout the six years she battled her disease. He and his children will select other charities in the next few years.
I know Crist was an executive with an enviable salary, but that fact doesn't make this story any less inspirational. It's rare to read about a person who feels he has enough money and doesn't need more. His actions are a beautiful tribute to the wife that he clearly loved dearly. And can we talk for a second about the fantastic example he is setting for his children? He's walking the walk and modeling for his kids the importance of giving back, being selfless, and cherishing a loved one's memory over a hefty monetary gift.
What do you think of how this dad has chosen to spend his lottery prize money?
Image via pop culture geek/Flickr