A New York couple trying to rebuild their lives in Connecticut after Hurricane Sandy took both of their homes have won the lottery.

Dennis Klaus and Mary Ann Daino met each other upon moving to New Milford, after New Faith Church gave each of them a trailer for a year following the devastating storm, a local ABC affiliate reported. After the year was up, the new couple started living together in a leased trailer in Gaylordsville.

The couple bought a winning lottery ticket about six months ago. They put the ticket in a safety deposit box for safekeeping and cashed it in on Monday, the ABC affiliate reported.

“I wanted to make sure I didn’t owe the IRS any money or Wells Fargo,” Ms. Daino told the station.

The prize was more than $255,000 dollars, meaning the couple will take home about $180,000 after taxes, the station reported.

“We don’t consider it money. We consider it a home. It’s a home,” Mr. Klaus said. “It’s not to be spent. It’s where we’re going to live together and start a new life.”

They plan to buy a house in New Milford, the station reported.

“You have to keep the faith because there is life afterwards, and there’s a wonderful life waiting,” Ms. Daino said.

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