16-04-2025
Longtime supporter wins United Way $50K Giveaway
TUPELO – On Monday afternoon a little before 4 o'clock, Felicia Crump said a prayer.
Her husband, Robert, was on his way home from work, where the two, married nearly 31 years, would watch WTVA's news. It was the day the winner of the United Way of Northeast Mississippi's 50K Giveaway was to be announced, and Crump had bought a single $100 ticket.
'In my prayer, I was talking to God about the good things I wanted to do with the money if we were to win it,' Crump said. 'I was telling Robert about it. We meant to watch the announcement on WTVA, but we forgot to turn the TV on.'
During their conversation, Robert Crump's cell phone rang. It was his sister, but he did not answer. Then she called again.
'Robert took the call and I heard him saying, 'Oh, my goodness,'' Felicia Crump said. 'I thought something had happened to our adult son.'
But it was good news being delivered.
'My sister said, 'Y'all watching TV? They just said Felicia Crump from Baldwyn has won $50,000.''
The couple went back later and watched the announcement.
'It was the most humbling experience I have ever had,' Crump said. 'I am just so thankful to God for his mercy and his grace.'
Supporting the United Way is nothing new for the Crumps, and this is not the first year they have purchased a ticket for the 50K Giveaway, which since 2019 has been one of the organization's larger fundraisers.
'It's such an amazing part of the community,' Crump said. 'We support the 50K Giveaway each year. This is the first time we have won anything, but we feel like we win every year just knowing we help support such a worthwhile cause.'
She first became aware of United Way when she was a Fair Share giver — someone who donates an hour's worth of pay to United Way each month — when employed by North Mississippi Medical Center. She was so impressed by the work done in the community, she simply continued to give.
She subscribes to the 'joy' theory of giving — she believes in giving to Jesus, others and yourself, in that order. It's exactly how she plans to use the money her family has won.
As Crump and her husband received the oversized check Tuesday morning from Patti Parker, president of United Way, Parker thanked the couple for buying a ticket.
'And thank you for being a longtime donor,' she said.
Since 1961, United Way of Northeast Mississippi has fostered a spirit of volunteerism and supported communities through funded partners. It supports eight counties and serves more than 125,000 people in those counties.
The organization invests in programs and agencies who work to help solve community problems, which has led to the creation of the Early Childhood Coalition, the Hunger Coalition of Northeast Mississippi, Volunteer Northeast Mississippi and the Northeast Mississippi Health Alliance.
'Our 50K Giveaway has been a fun way to get the community involved,' said Ethan Benefield, marketing and communications director of United Way. 'The five-week event, culminating in the grand prize, has offered something each week to keep it interesting.'
Weekly prizes included a $500 Delta Blue Jeans gift card, a $600 Eat With Us gift card, a $500 cash prize and a 2.5 carat diamond ring. Winners of the weekly prizes this year included B.B Hosch, Sandy Byrd, Cindy Black, Carol Elliott and Tracy May.
