When we surprised Eddie Hargraves of Oklahoma City, OK, on January 14 we must have knocked his socks off.  Not just because we were delivering a Big Check worth $1 Million, but because he came to the door barefoot — in a t-shirt and shorts ready to take a nap.

“How ya doin’ today?” we asked.  A stunned Eddie quickly noticed the Prize Patrol blazers, balloons, roses and cameras and exclaimed “Fantastic – now!”   

“I’ve watched this stuff in the commercials all the time just thinkin’ there’s no way I’m ever gonna win” he said. 

Nonetheless, almost every day Eddie would play PCH Games and enter the sweepstakes.  And then – wham!!! – he did win – just like he’d seen on TV!  Words like “unbelievable” and “amazing” spilled from his mouth as he kept scratching his head in disbelief.

Several media from Oklahoma City were there to capture the excitement.  Reporters who routinely cover awful fires and pile-ups on the interstate were thrilled to be part of such a “good news” story for a change.  Many even said “I never thought this was real – until now!” 

Check out Eddie’s “Winning Moment” here:

Days later, still in something of a sleep-deprived daze, Eddie says the whole experience has been “like a whirlwind – all good.”  He is retired after many years with 7-Eleven and certainly welcomes the money but says he will take it easy.  He’s thinking about a long overdue vacation(to the Pacific Northwest) and “maybe” he’ll replace his 12-year-old SUV that has 300,000 miles on it.  So far the only splurge has been new cell phones for himself, his daughter and her husband who recently relocated to the West Coast and could use “some help.”

Congratulations, Eddie, and welcome to our huge and ever-growing family of winners!  And to the rest of you, follow Eddie’s advice: “Keep on playing!”  Enter the PCH Sweepstakes every chance you get — and you could be a winner too! 

DaveSayer                                                                                            
PCH Prize Patrol Ambassador