Canadian Lottery Millionaires, Violet and Allen Large, Thwart Would-Be Criminals

Canadian lottery millionaires Violet and Allen Large have definitely got their priorities in order, giving away approximately $9 million of their $11.2 million lottery winnings to help others, according to Yahoo News' "The Upshot." And they did it to thwart would-be criminals too.

Violet, who was undergoing chemo treatment for cancer at the time the couple hit the financial jackpot, feared the usual con artist types would appear when someone becomes a millionaire overnight due to the lottery. The Nnova Scotia Chronicle reported she feared "crooked people."

No doubt the 78-year-old Canadian winner had heard of this man and the con artist he encountered: Florida lottery winner Abraham Shakespeare wins $31 million.

But Violet already had her husband Allen, so unlike Abraham, who was unattached, Violet didn't have to worry that she or Allen would hook up with someone like Abraham did: Dorice "Dee Dee" Moore.

But Violet was smart enough to know that other pitfalls could befall the aged couple besides money hungry romantic partners. And the wise older woman took steps to prevent it.

Canadian Lottery Millionaires, Money motive for murder often

Fearing the worst, Violet didn't leave anything to chance, she decided to take the bull by the horns and avoid the fate of Abraham Shakespeare's, whose body was found buried in Florida.
Allen and Violet Large were grappling with her cancer and treatment, so they knew what the most important things in life were anyway: life and people. They sure didn't want to be robbed of those things by people seeking to rob them of their money.

"That money that we won was nothing," a weepy Allen expressed to Nova Scotia Chronicle Herald writer Patricia Brooks Arenburg. And they proved it, giving all but two percent ($22 million) away.

Lottery Millionaires Violet and Allen Large make a plan

Allen and Violet felt the money was just a "big headache" anyway they told the Chronicle Herald writer, so they spent a week mulling over how to divvy up the windfall, making a list of charitable organizations they felt needed it and would put it to good use.

Following the biblical principal, the couple took care of all of their families' financial needs first, of course. That meant loved ones outside their own home, too. Then the couple who were still dealing with Violet's own precarious health, set about playing Santa Claus even before Thanksgiving or Christmas, hand delivering the financial proceeds to the people who made their two-page list.

It was Christmas before July in Canada this year.

Millionaire Canadian Couple's list

Churches (plural) in the couple's area received money from them, as did their local fire department, cemeteries, the wonderful Red Cross organization, as well as the Salvation Army. Violet also made sure to include the two hospital facilities that gave her chemo treatment, one in Halifax, the other in Truro.

Alzheimer's and diabetes organizations were included and too many more to list. The wealthy couple didn't embark upon their philanthropic trip to gain recognition, but they've done so none the less, according to the Chronicle, reaping all kinds of acknowledgments, expressions of thanks and commemorative plaques.

Violet and Allen not destined to fate of Shakespeare

Abraham Shakespeare lavished money on people, too, when he won the lottery and became a millionaire. Unfortunately, the former truck driver lavished it on the wrong person and didn't have the kind of plan that Violet and Allen did, and he didn't make his focus the organizations that help others, either.

"Abraham Shakespeare lotto millionaire case arrest made" could have been a headline he avoided, most likely, if he had followed Violet and Allen's game plan instead of his own. But few people can resist the lure of big money and the greed it inspires, refusing to part with it once they get it. The Large's are an exception.

"What you've never had, you never miss," Violet Large says. And her husband Allen's take on it takes a backseat to what he sees going on with his wife's health, currently.

"All the money in the world can't buy your health," he laments, the Chronicle reported.

Violet and Allen richer than Shakespeare even without their millions

Violet may have suffered from cancer, and she may have undergone the difficult trial of chemo treatment, but Canadian millionaires Violet Large and her husband Allen still has one thing Abraham Shakespeare does not have in spite of giving away her millions; Violet still has her life.

Abraham Shakespeare's alleged murderer was arrested but then his family had to endure their loved ones demise daily thereafter with "Dorice Moore claims not guilty" headlines, and Moore's denials about her involvement in his death.

Canadian millionaires Violet and Allen Large have decreased that possibility for themselves and their family members by spreading the love around. And they get to feel great as they do it. "It made us feel good. And there's so much good being done with that money." Violet closed with, "We're the lucky ones." And so they are.

Resources: Yahoo News.com; Nova Scotia Chronicle Herald.com