CROWN POINT | The grand prize winners of this year's Northwest Indiana House Raffle walked around the home they won in awe -- but opted to take the money instead.

Tom and Pauline Sullivan, of Crown Point, got their first look Tuesday at the Fieldstone Cottage, built by Mirar Custom House Inc., in Crown Point's White Hawk West subdivision.

A new home is the top prize annually in the Northwest Indiana House Raffle, a charity event that raises money for the Southlake YMCA and St. Jude House, a shelter for abused women and children. But winners have the option of taking the house, valued at $450,000, or $300,000 cash.

Pauline Sullivan said the couple moved to Crown Point 17 years ago from East Chicago where they both grew up. Sullivan said she recently left her job at a local cleaners because of an illness, but her husband continues to work at Pepsi in Munster.

Pauline Sullivan said she was stunned Friday when she got the call saying they had won the house.

"I called back an hour later, and asked her 'Did you just call me? Did I really win a house?" Sullivan said.

Tom Sullivan said the couple has been getting advice from people all weekend about what to do with the money. They said they have been busy and haven't had a chance to "take it all in."

The Sullivans said this is the fourth or fifth year they bought raffle tickets and they will continue to do so each year.