Lewis Katz's Generosity Helped Change Lives
By Steve Patterson
CAMDEN, N.J., (CBS) – Lewis Katz was much more than a businessman.
He was a philanthropist who cared deeply about those he helped.
Eyewitness News reporter Steve Patterson tells us how his generosity helped change lives.
"Having three daughters in college at the same time was quite difficult financially for our family," said Jay Hunt.
Nearly 20 years ago, then Willingboro Detective Jay Hunt said a prayer he'll never forget.
"I prayed about it and asked the good lord to work out something for us," he said.
Three girls at three separate universities at the same time. And no way to pay for it.
It's precisely the moment he says his prayers were answered when Lewis Katz walked into his church and into his life.
"Mr. Katz was asked to give some remarks and to the surprise of the entire congregation during his remarks he decided to donate substantial amounts of money towards the Lewis Katz Scholarship fund," Hunt said.
But Lewis Katz is full of surprises.
That Fund has now helped put more than 60 area kids through school, 25 at First Nazarene Baptist, three in the Hunt household.
Jenice Williams is one.
"It means so much. Every time I think of education I think of Mr. Katz," Williams said.
She thought of it so much she became a Willingboro school teacher.
"I really enjoy giving back," she said.
So does her father. The detective now a Deacon at First Nazarene enjoying the accomplishments of his daughters and mourning the loss of a man that became a close personal friend.
"Mr. Katz was just one of the good ol' guys from the neighborhood that really never forgot where he came from," he said.
