W. Randy Smith, a man who won $79 million at the Powerball lottery has become famous for his generosity. One of his latest acts of charity happened last month, when he decided to donate 6 fire trucks to six fire departments from Berkley County. The trucks are all Ford F-350, equipped with snow blowers and snow ploughs.
“I remember last year’s blizzards. I was stuck at home like everybody else, and I had my scanner on. Emergency crews were not able to get through the snow,” Mr. Smith stated. Last August, the man managed to win a $79 million jackpot, but went for the lump sum option and got $44 million before taxes. The trucks cost a total of $240,000. The trucks arrived fully customized for each fire department and they will act as substitutes for when the large fire engines are not needed or they cannot access the fire. Besides the fire trucks, Smith also donated several new ambulances. And if you think that’s all, wait until you read this. Smith also gave away $220,000 for the purchase of an armored vehicle destined for SWAT usage. US lottery
“It’s a military-based vehicle capable of surviving a 50-caliber round,” Smith stated about the vehicle destined to aid in hostage situations or shooting zones. It is the only one of its kind in West Virginia. Also, the West Virginia State Police received a mobile forensic unit, costing $150,000, which is designed to preserve and move evidence from crime scenes. The Martinsburg City Police Department is also aided by Smith, with a fingerprint scanning system and shooting range upgrades, costing about $100,000.
“I wish we had some of these things when I was in the sheriff’s department,” Smith stated.
For 12 years, W. Randy Smith was a deputy sheriff, until he was elected sheriff in 2004. He held the office until 2008, when he became a Berkley County magistrate, job which he vacated after winning the Powerball lottery. Lottery checker
“One day I was in line at a convenience store to buy a ticket when a woman behind me I didn’t even know started to chew me out. She asked me if I didn’t think I already had enough money and that I was being greedy,” Mr. Smith stated. “I don’t know of a rule that says you can’t have too much money, or you can’t do too much good. If I win more money, I could build the whole hospice building.”