CHARLESTON, W. Va. — A West Virginia businessman-turned-multimillionaire plans to share his new wealth with his church after making history with a Powerball lottery win.
“We pay tithes to three churches and we’re going to take care of these pastors with 10 percent of the money as it comes in,” Andrew Jackson “Jack” Whittaker Jr. said in an interview on NBC’s “Today” show Dec. 27.
He hopes to help churches start a fund to help those in need.
Whittaker hit the historical jackpot on Christmas Day, when the jackpot reached $314.9 million if paid over 30 years. He opted for the more immediate payout of $113.4 million from the Multi-State Lottery Association, the Associated Press reported.
Three Church of God pastors, along with his attorney, will handle a $17 million fund, he said on “Today.”
Whittaker, who cites work, family and God as the priorities in his life, said he thinks there was a purpose for his Christmas win.
“I think it’s really meant for me to do a lot with this money to help people,” he said.
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