Dream Machine Ignites Fireworks for "Big Spin® 2000" Contestant

07.03.1999
Dream Machine Ignites Fireworks for "Big Spin® 2000" Contestant - Latest "Hero in Education" Award

SACRAMENTO -- The new California Lottery's "Big Spin® 2000" show airs Saturday July 3, 1999 in twelve television markets statewide. Contestants on this week's show won a total of $142,500. The Lottery will also present the "Hero in Education" segment honoring everyday volunteers in the education system.

Former member of the "Fearsome Foursome" front line of the Los Angeles Rams, NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and player in eight Pro Bowls, David (Deacon) Jones will be presented with the California Lottery's "Hero in Education" Award. Deacon Jones is a Hall of Fame football player and a California icon. Since his football days, Deacon has been involved in a host of charitable pursuits. Jones is the founder of the 'Deacon Jones Foundation.' Jones targets children from economically disadvantaged areas to take part in a multi-step program to help them become educated, responsible adults. The Deacon Jones Foundation and its corporate supporters give children college scholarships as long as they meet community volunteer requirements and reciprocate to their community. Along with scholarships, the children are also assigned two adult mentors to help them learn to venture into the real world. They also reinforce the ideal that giving back is the key to a solid, well-rounded life and a strong community. Ex-NFL, former Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Raiders defensive tackle, Bob Golic presented Jones with the "Hero in Education" award.

Erling Scharbius, a retired forklift driver from Santa Rosa is known among friends as "Lucky Erl" because he takes crazy shots playing pool but always makes it. Scharbius took a shot playing Fantasy 5ä and won $75,000. Scharbius and his wife plan to purchase a new furnace, help their children, plan to take a long awaited trip to Hawaii, and contribute to some favorite charities.

Eva Chavez, a retired waitress from Los Angeles invested in a Scratchers® ticket that revealed three "SPIN" symbols on it and spun the wheel to win $20,000. Chavez is the youngest of ten children and plans to visit her family in Mexico.

"I was very happy when I saw I was going to the Big Spin 2000 show," said Benjamin McMahon, a Government property administrator, "I went to the store to buy some milk, I had a dollar left so I bought a Big Spin Scratchers. ticket" McMahon, a resident of Chula Vista won $25,000 and plans to go on vacation fishing in the Sierra's and pay off bills.

The California Lottery sells its products through a network of more than 18,000 outlets statewide. The Lottery provides 52 percent of its revenues to players as prizes, 34 percent to public schools, and 14 percent for administrative expenses, which includes 6.8 percent for retailer commissions. Since 1985, the Lottery has raised more than $10.5 billion for public schools and has provided an annual average of approximately 38 percent of the Lottery's total revenues to schools. The California Lottery's contribution equals approximately 2 percent of the state's total education budget. "Big Spin® 2000" is the longest running Lottery game show in the country, airing continuously since 1985.

NAME	CITY	AMOUNT
Erling Scharbius	Santa Rosa	$ 75,000
Benjamin McMahon	Chula Vista	$ 25,000
Eva Chavez	Los Angeles	$ 20,000
Other California Gold Winners		$ 22,500
		TOTAL $142,500

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1999 3rd Quarter Press Releases: Article