A Hewlett native who won the $100,000 grand prize Thursday on Wheel of Fortune has pledged to donate the winnings to a pair of charities in California, where he now lives.
Scott Kolbrenner was awarded $145,000, his total winnings after cash and prizes, and decided that the prize money will be divided evenly between both charities, with Uplift Family Services at Hollygrove and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank each receiving $72,500.
“While I hoped I would do okay on the show, I never thought that anything like this could happen,” Kolbrenner said after his win. “I got lucky that day and knew right away that I wanted to share my good fortune.”
Kolbrenner has been an avid watcher of the long-running gameshow and was selected as a contestant after submitting a video application and completing a virtual audition.
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank collects and distributes food to local communities to combat food insecurity. The food bank also educates children, adults, and seniors on nutritional health. Their vision? No one goes hungry in Los Angeles County.
“The LA Regional Food Bank is successful thanks to generous supporters like Scott Kolbrenner,” the nonprofit tweeted on Thursday, urging people to tune into the show and show support.
Uplift Family Services, where Kolbrenner has been a long-time board member, is one of the largest behavioral health treatment providers in California. The company, serving more than 35,000 children and families a year, offers a wide range of services from educational support to developmental disability programs. In addition to serving on the board, the grand prize winner has been volunteering his time at Uplift Family Services for more than 20 years.
“The fun and memories from the day will stay with me forever, but the urgent need in our community cannot wait,” Kolbrenner said.
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