The gas station in Chicopee that sold the recent winning Powerball ticket is inviting nonprofits that help children in western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut to apply for a share of its lottery commission.

After the station was notified it sold the winning ticket, Pride store chain owner Bob Bolduc said the $50,000 commission would be donated to local charities.

‘‘We were as surprised as everybody else,” Bolduc said during last week’s announcement. “We’re happy for our customer, and we’re happy for the charities.’’

Massachusetts lottery officials took the lottery machine that sold the ticket out of service for maintenance, according to WHDH.


Organizations can apply for grants here.