An Oregan bartender was blown away recently when one kind hearted customer willingly shared his lottery win with her. The $28,000 windfall came after an impulse buy into the Lucky Lines lottery draw last Thursday led to local man Tom Larson scooping the top prize.
Tom Larson of Canby, Oregan, purchased a ticket for the tic-tac-toe style daily game on a whim, at Mike’s Place, from bartender Debbie Rozzell. Larson, a regular customer at the bar on NW 1st Avenue, then told Rozzell to write both their names on the ticket and promised to split any winnings with her. “Put both of our names on it” he said, “…and if I win anything I’ll split it with you.’”.
Soon after, the pair couldn’t believe their luck as Larson’s ticket matched every number drawn and secured a top prize win of $28,000. “I thought if we won something we’d win two bucks or a hundred bucks or something like that,” said Larson who, despite the value of his win, stayed true to his word and gave half of the cash to a disbelieving Debbie Rozzell.
“I love Tom,” said Rozzell, who is understandably overjoyed by Larson’s generosity, “I think we’re a lot alike…If I say something, my word is the only thing I really have control over and that’s how he feels too.”
“You gotta do what you gotta do, your word is your handshake.” said Larson, who remains content with his decision; “I’ve got money in my pocket I didn’t have before and so does she,” he added “It makes me happy, so what? It’s the only way to be.”
Tom and Debbie Collect Their Big Win
Image from www.katu.com
Larson told local reporters he plans to put his share in the bank, while Rozzell has already splashed out on a new laptop and is currently making plans for a summer vacation. While Larson’s generosity is certainly commendable, it appears he too has gained greater enjoyment from the gift and has made one bartender a very happy woman.
