Classic Stories From the Prize Patrol!
I love a good story, don’t you? When I’m at the Publishers Clearing House headquarters and I run into Prize Patrol Elite team members Danielle or Howie, I always ask them to tell me about their latest adventure! As you probably can tell from watching winning moments or on our show Inside PCH, Danielle and Howie love to chat about where they’ve been or what they’ve been up to!
They’ve been on the road so much lately, I thought it would be a good time to hear from them and ask what were some of the craziest things they’ve experienced on the road!
Danielle: Wow, there are so many but I love the story when I was in New Orleans for a winner and the van sign flew off on the highway! I ran to go get it and people were honking their horns, cracking up! That’s the same trip where the winner took the Prize Patrol to see alligators!
Howie: There have been so many stories! But one thing that comes to mind right away is when Dave and I were doing a prize in North Carolina immediately following Hurricane Matthew — the winner Tonya Raymondi had just moved from Wilmington to Raleigh and, because of flooding, it took Dave and I 5 hours each way. It should have been only a couple hours! We handed Tonya a big check for $10,000 and she was so happy.
Was there ever a time where travel problems delayed you getting to the winner?
Danielle: Knock on wood, not often! Sure, a few times after 10 years, but probably less than 5 times. We plan our trips wisely. But Hurricane Sandy hit when we were supposed to film for a gameshow and we needed to reschedule!
Howie: But don’t forget, sometimes we miss our connections due to delays! Or sometimes the Big Check doesn’t arrive and we have to go print a new one locally or wait around for it to arrive. But the Prize Patrol always gets to our winner!
Who was the most thankful winner you’ve met?
Danielle: There are SO MANY but one that stands out is Penny Pompa. She was so relieved and really needed the good news at that time in her life … and a million bucks did it! She spread the word that PCH is REAL and did so much good with her winnings.
Howie: Most are so thankful. But if I had to narrow it down to recent winners, Paula Sullivan, who won $1 million back in April, was so overcome with emotion. This money often comes at the perfect time for winners in need, and this couldn’t have been truer than with Paula.
Ok, so I have to ask you guys about food! What’s the best meal you’ve ever had on the road?
Danielle: We are total foodies!!!! There recently was a great spot by the airport in Albany, NY called the Tipsy Moose Tap & Tavern. The people were so nice and the cheese curds were amazing! We love finding local spots, like you see those hosts do on TV!
Howie: I love finding the best restaurants in each locality, and I have had so many great meals. But my favorite over the last year was at The Noble South in Mobile, AL. It’s amazing!
And that was all the time Howie and Danielle had for me before they had to rush off to film Inside PCH! I’m sure we only scratched the surface on all the things they could have told us, so make sure you follow them on social media to see their adventures as they actually happen!
Matt K.
PCH Creative
P.S. If Howie and Danielle came to your home town, where would you tell them to get a bite to eat? Tell us in the comments below!
