Eau Claire, Wis. — Sometimes the best gifts are the ones we would never think to give ourselves.
That’s the story behind the winner of the $20,000 Carl’s Place golf simulator giveaway — and the reason this particular prize is about much more than golf.
The winner, Tom, didn’t enter the giveaway for himself. He entered on behalf of his brother-in-law, Matt, a 21-year Army Reserve veteran and Purple Heart recipient who has spent much of his life quietly putting others first.
Matt rarely talks about his military service. Instead, he and his wife, Justine, have devoted nearly a decade to building a very different kind of mission on their farm in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Together, they have transformed Sour Patch Sanctuary into a rescue and safe haven for more than 40 special-needs animals.
The sanctuary is home to an unforgettable collection of animals, including a pig named Baby Meatball and Miss Pickles, a bulldog who gets around with the help of wheels. Justine works full time at a hospital, yet she still finds time to drive for hours — sometimes at a moment’s notice — to bring home an animal in need.
The farm has always been Justine’s dream.
According to Tom, Matt’s dream has always been a little simpler: make Justine happy.
For nearly 10 years, Matt has poured everything he has into helping his wife build the life she dreamed of, making the animals at Sour Patch Sanctuary part of their family along the way.
So when Tom saw the Carl’s Place giveaway, he knew exactly what he wanted to do.
“I thought, I’m going to give Matt the one thing he would never give himself,” Tom said.
Tom entered the giveaway on Matt’s behalf and kept the entire thing a secret.
When Carl’s Place contacted Tom with the news that he had won the $20,000 simulator package, the surprise became even more special. Tom arranged for Justine to sit Matt down while a hidden camera captured the moment she told him what his brother-in-law had done.
Matt initially struggled to believe it.
Then came the emotion.
For a man who had spent so much of his life serving his country, caring for his family and helping his wife care for animals that desperately needed a home, Matt suddenly found himself on the receiving end of an extraordinary act of generosity.
The Carl’s Place team is now preparing to bring the golf simulator to the family’s Wisconsin property, with construction targeted for late October. Tom plans to travel from Philadelphia to Wisconsin to help with the installation.
And while the simulator will undoubtedly provide plenty of opportunities for Matt and his family to enjoy some time on the virtual links, the real gift may be the message behind it.
After years of giving his time, energy and heart to others, someone decided it was Matt’s turn to receive.
As Veterans Day approaches, Carl’s Place is proud to celebrate not only a Purple Heart recipient and 21-year Army Reserve veteran, but also the family behind Sour Patch Sanctuary — and one brother-in-law who simply wanted to say thank you.
Sometimes, the greatest gift isn’t something you buy for yourself. It’s something someone gives you because they know you’d never ask for it.
