An 11-year-old from the Capital Region was not only made famous Sunday night for his TV appearance, but also his generous gift to help those in need. Time Warner Cable News reporter Michael Howard has more.
COLONIE, N.Y. -- A video was sent to Americas Funniest Videos starring Luke Finlan crying during his fourth grade graduation. During a vacation in Maryland this year, the family received unexpected news much to Luke's surprise -- considering he didn't even know his mother had sent it in.
"My mom said AFV just sent me an email that our video going to be in the contest and I said, 'what video?'" said Luke.
Just over a month ago he and his family were flown to Los Angeles for a taping of the show. Sunday night, hundreds of his family and friends gathered in Colonie to watch the episode. Since returning from LA, Luke and his family have had to keep how much they won a secret until the show aired.
"The first day I walked into school everyone kept asking about what I won," said Luke.
So who did he share his first place $10,000 winnings with? The 47th Annual Equinox -- a tradition that serves 10,000 meals to people in the Capital Region on Thanksgiving.
"We still always need additional turkeys, so he wanted his money to go toward more turkeys, which is really the main ingredient to the dinner," said Equinox Director of Development Christina Rajotte.
Sunday afternoon he and his family were given a behind-the-scenes tour of their operation, seeing up close the thousands of volunteers that make it all possible. His kind act made his family and the likely thousands of needy people that will enjoy the meal Thursday proud.
"He didn't think he needed the money and he didn't understand why God gave him this gift," said Luke's mother Kathy.
"I'm so inspired by him to be of that young age and have such a huge heart," said Rajotte.