Schools

Houlihan Awarded $5,000 By Stranger

Chopped Contestant Awarded $5K By Viewer In Surprise Ceremony

Approximately two weeks ago, Matt Riggs of Phoenix called Principal Pat Fedor, and he wanted to give participant and school cafeteria chef Dianne Houlihan $5,000.

Fedor’s reaction?

“Seriously,” she said Monday, retelling what she told him at the time. “I thought it was a joke.”

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But it wasn’t. After some vetting and some hope, Riggs came through with his promise, giving Houlihan $5,000 and Great Neck School $500 Monday in a surprise ceremony. Houlihan’s family snuck in to watch the ceremony unfold, and watch the cafeteria chef break into tears.

“I thought I was already blessed, working in this school with all these beautiful kids and wonderful staff, and that to me was the best thing in the world,” Houlihan said. “I never thought any of this would ever happen.”

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How It Began

In late November, ,” finishing in second place and missing out on the grand prize of $10,000. Riggs watched the show with his family in Phoenix, and was instantly touched.

“It was everything she didn’t say that blew me away,” he said. “She made it about everyone but her.”

Moved, he decided to do something. So, doing something he said he never did anything like before, he decided he would fly to Connecticut with his family to give Houlihan a check for $5,000.

“I never felt so attached to somebody in a show before,” Riggs said. “I just knew I had to do something, especially after she didn’t win.”

Riggs called Fedor, and said he wanted to give $5,000 to Houlihan. Fedor was skeptical, but Riggs kept at it, updating her when he just got the check, when he reserved the flight to Connecticut and other obligations that made her less doubtful.

“I thought to myself nobody would go through this trouble if it wasn’t legitimate,” Fedor said.

Riggs said he never did anything like this before. It was the right thing to do, both because of the person Houlihan was, and the impact it can make, he said.

“I’m in a position to give back,” he said. “The way the economy is, maybe it is time for people like us to give back. To set an example. And if you are going to do it, do it big.”

The Secret

Fedor told only her secretary, a few select members of the media, Houlihan’s husband and Superintendent Jerome Belair. Monday morning, she sent out an e-mail to the entire Great Neck staff telling them there would be a special school assembly at 1:30 in the gym.

Riggs came in at noon with his wife, Cindy, and 13-year-old daughter, Cassie. Fedor gave the family a tour of the school, something common for people new to the district. Then Riggs was brought into a conference room where they had lunch with Belair and two members of the media.

Meanwhile, Houlihan’s husband, Joe Houlihan, told the rest of the Houlihan family. The assembly began at 1:30 with all the teachers and students filing in. When everybody stood for the Pledge of Allegience, Houlihan’s family snuck in the back, as Dianne Houlihan was facing the front of the gym.

Fedor introduced Riggs, who gave a speech saying he was donating $500 to the school. Then he brought up Houlihan, and asked the kids how much more he should give her.

After some guesses (twice as much, four times as much, etc), he presented Houlihan with the check for $5,000. Houlihan began to cry, as her husband came up and hugged her, and she gave a quick speech.

After, Houlihan’s entire family, including her two grandchildren, came up to hug and cry with her. Houlihan’s family made gift baskets for people in need Sunday night for Christmas, and Dianne Houlihan said the money could continue to “spread the kindness.”

“I’d love to take my grandchildren to Disney,” she said. “And I would love to give some to help those who need it, help spread the kindness around.”


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