TRENTON, N.J. – Gov. Chris Christie says the New Jersey family that opened a charitable foundation to help the state's capital city after winning a $429.6 million Powerball jackpot last year is "selfless" and an "inspiration".
The Republican governor visited the Smith Family Foundation on Wednesday for its grand opening.
Pearlie Mae Smith and her seven adult children won the lottery in May 2016 and said they planned to give back their city.
Smith's daughter, Valerie Arthur, who is the foundation's human resources director, says the family collectively donated $16 million of their winnings to various charities.
She says the foundation has given out $30,000 in grants to various groups this summer, including the Trenton Music School. It plans to dole out grants of up to $10,000 to other groups in coming weeks.
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