Salvation Army turns down $100,000 donation

The Salvation Army turned down a $100,000 donation from a Florida lottery winner because its local leader did not want to take money associated with gambling.

David Rush, a 71-year-old who won $14.3m, announced the gift last week. He held one of four winning tickets in the Florida Lotto jackpot drawn on December 14.

Major Cleo Damon, head of the Salvation Army office in Naples, Florida, told Rush he could not take his money and returned the cheque which another official had accepted.

“There are times where Major Damon is counselling families who are about to become homeless because of gambling,” spokeswoman Maribeth Shanahan said.

“He really believes that if he had accepted the money, he would be talking out of both sides of his mouth.”

“Everybody has a right to be sanctimonious if they want to be,” said Rush.

“I respect the Salvation Army’s decision. I do not agree with it, but that is their prerogative.”

He said he has been giving money to the Salvation Army for 40 years.