Leave the new millionaire alone

It has been just over two months since local rancher Neal Wanless won the $232.1 million Powerball jackpot. Multiple sources around town reported his family carrying away caseloads of mail soon after. I wonder what all of those kind folks are after? His cattle?

In fact, there has been some discussion on our Board about hitting up Mr. Wanless for a donation. You know, since he promised he'd repay the community that had been so generous to his family over the years and we're just poor poor poor. Luckily, my input counts for something around here. The organization has decided to hold off on sending the letter until Neal's life has settled down some. (Who gets to decide this on his behalf is beyond me.) I'm going to do my best to ensure the letter is never sent.

There was talk at the last Chamber of Commerce meeting about writing a similar letter. Then, I came across this Time article about private citizens raising money to save teachers' jobs. About halfway through was this gem:

Suny Bruun, a mother of two in Winner, S.D., this summer bypassed the PTA and formed an independent parent fundraising group, Keeping Intelligent Determined Students (KIDS). ... Bruun has even made overtures to a local man who in May became the winner of the ninth-largest Powerball jackpot ever: $232 million. "I sent him a letter," says Bruun. "It has gone unanswered."

Well, no shit! I know I wouldn't have responded either in his situation. If I won the lottery, I already know which people and organizations would share in my winnings. And believe me, I've thought about it. A certain friend of mine in Texas and I would fantasy about such a scenario on our Powerball/casino runs to Shreveport. If you're not on the list (a rather extensive one, actually), don't even bother asking.

Geez, you would think a check was already in my bank account! But my point is:

It's tacky to solicit money from any lottery winner. But to go after the local man from a family that's had some hard times over the years, declaring, "Hey, you promised!" is just disgusting. Sure, Habitat could sure put a couple hundred grand to very good use. But how classy is it to send him a letter that is sure to get mixed in with the umpteen other requests for money, the marriage proposals, and the notes from long-lost family members?