Penghu County resident Hsu Li-chin (許麗琴) sold a vacation package on an uninhabited islet she won in a local draw, saying she wanted to use the money to help economically disadvantaged schoolchildren.
Hsu sold the package for NT$200,000 (US$6,000) yesterday to Chiang Ta-lung (江達隆), the governor of Lions Clubs International District 300-C3 in Changhua County.
At the contract signing ceremony in Magong (馬公), Chiang said he would use the vacation rights to encourage other Lions Clubs members to make generous charitable contributions. Those who donate a minimum of NT$200,000 will be offered a free three-day holiday on the uninhabited islet, which features scenic landscapes and abundant marine life, Chiang said.
Hsu won the prize last month in one of three lucky draws held by the county government to entice people to spend their NT$3,600 consumption vouchers in Penghu to boost the local economy.
The prize entitled the winner to spend three days and two nights per month between this month and September on the uninhabited island named Sianjiaoyu (險礁島), or dangerous reef island, in the northern part of the archipelago, which lies off Taiwan's southwestern coast.
It has become a popular vacation spot in recent years after serving as the main setting for a TV romance drama series called the The Plain Summer.
The winner may invite up to seven people to stay on the island, with the county government covering all expenses, including transportation, food and beverage, water activities and trips to neighboring islets.
Hsu said that as Penghu residents, she and her family already enjoy plenty of scenic views.
After noticing that many poor students at her daughters' Wai An Elementary School need financial support for their education, she decided to sell the prize and donate the receipts to the needy children and the local temple, Hsu said.
Touched by Hsu's generosity, Chiang donated NT$100,000 himself to Wai An Elementary School.
Hsu was the second of three winners of the special prize, which is estimated to be worth between NT$200,000 and NT$400,000. A four-year-old boy Yeh Chien-wei (葉千維), also a local resident, won the first drawing for the prize on Feb. 27.
The third winner is scheduled to be announced today, the county government said.
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