Lucky Banker: Retiree Wins $5,000 in Sweepstakes

It's one thing to be lucky. It's another to share that luck with others.

That was the case for Joseph Hunoval Jr. of Madison, who was the Grand Prize winner of $5,000 in Provident Bank’s “Share the Wealth” Sweepstakes.

Hunoval, a retired banker, selected the Navy League Warrior Foundation for a matching $5,000 donation. The organization aids wounded and disabled servicemen and women.

Hunoval's nephew, Curt Muhler, is a Navy SEAL currently serving in Afghanistan, Hunoval's wife, Ellen, said in an interview.

Entries were accepted from Nov. 24 through Dec. 31, 2010. Each week, two winners were selected at random to receive a $250 Provident Visa Gift Card for themselves and $250 donation to a charity of their choice.

Three top prizes were awarded in a random drawing on Jan. 22, including the grand prize of $5,000 cash and a $5,000 donation to a charity of the winner's choice; a first-place prize of $2,500 cash and a $2,500 donation to a charity, and a second-place prize of $1,250 cash and a $1,250 donation to a charity. Overall, Provident awarded more than $20,000 in prizes to winners and their charities.

“We were happy to offer these prizes to residents and charities alike, especially during the holiday season when expenses can be overwhelming,” said Chris Martin, president and CEO of Provident. “Provident believes in giving back to the communities it serves. And what better way to show it than by giving a financial boost to consumers and the charities that are meaningful to them?”

The challenging economy has been particularly difficult for charities, who continue to be squeezed by falling donations, the bank said in a release. So as an added bonus, Provident wanted to give winners the opportunity to support the charities that are meaningful to them. 

First Place Prize of $2,500 went to Antoinette Deliman of Edison, and a matching donation to Concordia Learning Center at St. Joseph’s School for the Blind. Second Place Prize of $1,250 went to Jackie Bilotta of Monroe Township, along with a matching donation to Elijah’s Promise.