With more than $1 billion in profit generated last year, the Pennsylvania Lottery marks 50th anniversary
The Wolf administration marked the 50th anniversary of the Pennsylvania Lottery, and its economic benefit for older adults, with a visit today by officials to the Mechanicsburg Place Senior Center.
“As the Pennsylvania Lottery celebrates the 50th anniversary of its first ticket being sold, it’s important for us to celebrate all the good the Lottery has done for older Pennsylvanians,” said Secretary of Aging Robert Torres.
“Since 1972, the Lottery has generated more than $32.6 billion to help our commonwealth’s older residents. Here at the Mechanicsburg Place Senior Center, we’re seeing the daily positive impact of the Lottery and the programs it funds. Whether it’s a meal, socializing or health and wellness activities, much of it wouldn’t be possible without funding from lottery dollars.”
Mechanicsburg Place Senior Center received a $54,861 grant from the Department of Aging that was funded by Lottery proceeds.
This grant helped to pay for a kitchen renovation, which included the installation of new counter tops, cabinets, appliances, flooring and a sliding door that separates the food preparation area from the kitchen. The grant also helped the center purchase a new computer, an iPad, a projector and a projection screen for its members.
This grant is one example of how Lottery funds help Pennsylvania’s seniors.
“We are extremely proud of the fact that the Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state Lottery that dedicates all of its proceeds to benefiting older residents,” said Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko.
“The tickets and games we sell every day fund critical services, including property tax and rent rebates, transportation, care services, prescription assistance, and local services including senior centers and meals.”
“We use the kitchen every day to serve lunch. We serve about 30 to 50 people daily. Between 15 and 20 members eat inside and the rest do a drive-through pickup in our parking lot,” said Nori Hoffman, manager of the facility.
“Mechanicsburg Place is family, we support each other, laugh and cry together and care for one another. We play games, bingo, exercise, line dancing and many fun activities,” Hoffman added.
“Our members share their talents with crafts and stories. We make sure everyone feels welcome and safe. Our building is a place to come, enjoy other people, have a meal and share their history. We rely on donations and grants to keep the center up and running. We also do many fundraisers throughout the year.”
Pennsylvania’s 52 Area Agencies on Aging, or AAAs, cover all 67 counties and serve as the local representatives for the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.
PDA has traditionally awarded grants like the one received by Mechanicsburg Place Senior Center through a competitive process based on the project and need of the center. Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on SCCs over the past two years, the department has disbursed grant funding equally to the 52 Area Agencies on Aging to allocate among all of its eligible centers.
The Pennsylvania Lottery generated more than $1 billion for senior programs during the 2020-21 Fiscal Year. This marked the 10th consecutive year the Lottery surpassed the $1 billion mark in profit generated. Every day, Lottery funds provide the following for older Pennsylvanians:
- Care services, including long-term living services provided at home, in the community, or in a care facility;
- Property tax and rent rebates available through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program;
- Funding for the 52 Area Agencies on Aging, which provide services such as home-delivered meals, assessments and program referrals, ombudsman services, health insurance counseling, legal assistance, transportation, protective services and senior centers;
- Low-cost prescription assistance available through the PACE and PACENET programs; and
- Free and reduced-fare shared rides.
For more information about these and other programs for older Pennsylvanians, visit www.aging.pa.gov.
The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery to direct all proceeds to programs that benefit older residents. Since ticket sales began in 1972, it has contributed more than $32.6 billion to fund property tax and rent rebates, transportation, care services, prescription assistance, and local services including senior centers and meals.
Visit the Winners and Benefits pages at palottery.com to review how much money each county receives in Lottery prizes and funding to benefit older Pennsylvanians.