See how these Lottery retailers and winners are giving back to their communities

With much of today’s news focused on serious issues, it’s important to reflect on some of the good things that are going on around the world. We’re excited to share three stories of Lottery winners and retailers that are doing good by giving back to their communities.

Lottery winner pays it forward

What goes around comes around. When a Concord, Va., resident needed a new roof, Mike Robertson stepped in and decided to help. Not only does Robertson own a Lynchburg-area roofing company, but he is also a recent winner of $1 million after playing our $30 Scratcher Millionaire Maker. He figured he would pass along his good fortune to help a woman in need. 

Mike covered the labor and local TV station ABC-13 paid for the supplies. Now, the Concord woman has a new roof in time for spring showers!  You can watch the coverage here.

Lottery retailer steps up for students in times of need

With the closure of all schools across Virginia, many students won't have access to regular breakfasts and lunches. When the staff of Whit’s Market, one of our retail partners, realized that students in their community were going without meals, they decided to give back in a big way. Whit's Market is a small store located in Timberville in Rockingham County, Va. The staff didn't want the students in their community to go without, so they started packing lunch orders for the families with students on a free and reduced lunch program with Rockingham County Schools.

Virginia Lottery Sales Representative Lori Hitt visited the retailer on March 23 for a routine call and observed the group packing lunches. "I was so moved to see this response by the store. The store depends on the community for business, but now the community is turning to them for support," she said. "No child will be left out in this small, close-knit town."

Giving Back in Southwest Virginia

A Virginia Lottery retailer in Bristol, Va., made the news last month as it gave away its entire retailer bonus to two local charities! Kroger, located on Midway Street in Bristol, was awarded $10,000 for selling a $1 million Powerball ticket to Mildred Semones in January.

The team at the store decided to do something special with the bonus and donate it to two charities in the Tri-cities area. The store awarded $5,000 each to the Jericho Shriners Temple and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.

The Virginia Lottery and K-12 Public Education

Every time you play the Virginia Lottery, kids across the commonwealth are the real winners. All Lottery profits go to K-12 public schools in Virginia. In Fiscal Year 2019, the Lottery generated nearly $650 million for K-12 public schools. You can learn more about how the Lottery is doing good in your community on our Giving Back page.

_{Last updated 3/27/20}