Hoosier Story

Dennis: Playing It Forward

They say that the happiest people aren’t the ones who get a lot, but those who give a lot. And you won’t find a more giving Hoosier than Dennis. A former nurse and U.S. Army veteran, he has devoted his life to serving others.

Now a police officer in Indianapolis, Dennis feels right at home among his helpful neighbors and friends. Their wholesomeness and genuine care are what kept him in Indiana for over 12 years. “When you find a Hoosier, you actually find home,” he says.

The Gift that Just Kept on Giving

A fun way Dennis likes to share the giving spirit is by gifting Hoosier Lottery tickets. When a close friend’s daughter graduated, he bought 25 Scratch-offs and wrapped them up in a box for her. And then, something surprising happened. She got a winning ticket, then another and another. It came out to a total of $1500!

“When she got her first ticket, I thought I gave her a great gift. When she scratched off the fifth ticket that was a winner, I thought I became a winner.”

It doesn’t seem like Dennis is going to stop giving any time soon. When a friend was in an accident, he gifted him with a few Scratch-offs that led to a few wins. As for himself? If a big win ever came his way, Dennis would donate part of it to charity, particularly the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.