Instead, they decided that the windfall ought to serve a higher purpose.

"It doesn't matter what we end up settling for, we're going to give it to Harbor," Lamar Armstrong said of his thoughts at the time.

The $18,625 settlement stemmed from a car accident in 2006. The Armstrongs gave all of it to Harbor, which provides aid, including shelter, to victims of rape and domestic violence.

Marcia Armstrong and her daughter were driving down Bright Leaf Boulevard after soccer practice when a drunk driver plowed into the side of their car. No one was hurt, but the damage to the family's car was extensive.

The other driver was insured and at fault, so Lamar Armstrong set about getting the driver's insurance company to pay for the damage. "I think I got a bad draw with the adjuster," he said, noting that the insurance company offered only a fraction of what he thought he was owed. "I didn't want a lawsuit."

But the courts proved to be their only option, so the Armstrongs sued, seeking money for the car and punitive damages against the driver for recklessness. The Armstrongs had the resources to pursue their complaint through the courts, so they decided to make a stand for others who feel wronged by insurance companies.

"A lot of lawsuits can't be pursued on principle," Lamar Armstrong said.

The Armstrongs, both lawyers, also saw an opportunity to combat stereotypes about lawsuits. "A lot of times you hear negative publicity about lawsuits," Lamar Armstrong said.

The donation came at a good time for Harbor, which has seen its state funding cut by 7 percent and local funding withheld by several towns. This past year was a busy one at Harbor's 12-bed shelter, which was full from July to December, director Keri Christensen said. Private donations make up about 10 percent of Harbor's budget.

Marcia Armstrong has been involved with Harbor since it started 25 years ago, so she knew how much the settlement money would help. "Harbor was in need of money pretty badly," she said.