Bayside man shares $100G with grandkids

Six very lucky grandchildren will be receiving a holiday gift unlike any other this season - the gift of education - when their grandparents, who just won $100,000 in a Sovereign Bank sweepstakes, present them with the windfall.
Jesse Goodman, 85, and his wife Carol, who have been long-time customers of the bank, entered the contest in The Bay Terrace branch on a whim and never expected to win.
Nevertheless, their name was drawn from the 12 million applicants across the New York area.
&#8220We go to the bank all the time,” said Jesse. &#8220Then someone called and said they had $100,000 for me. I laughed.”
&#8220He was going to hang up,” said Carol. &#8220We thought it was a telemarketer, but the person on the other end [of the phone] said ‘Don't hang up.' ”
Goodman, who spent his childhood in orphanages, didn't have a second thought as to what to do with the winnings.
&#8220The money has already been spent,” he said. &#8220I turned it over to my wife, and she put it away for our grandchildren's education fund. A real education is the key to everything.”
The Goodmans have six grandchildren - five boys and one girl ranging in age from 11 to 23.
Two still live nearby, but four now reside in Brentwood, Long Island.
&#8220They visit every weekend,” said Jesse, a retired electrical engineer, referring to the fact that his family is extremely close knit.
Of his good fortune Jesse said, &#8220We live very comfortably. Whatever I need I've been getting all my life. I haven't worked in 15 years, and all I can say is ‘God bless America.' ”
He then added jokingly, &#8220I may want a new car, though, or a new toothbrush.”
When asked if they would continue to bank at Sovereign, Jesse replied, &#8220Yes, we like the people [at the bank]. They are very helpful and courteous.”