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Holladay Journal

Publishers Clearing House surprises Holladay resident with $10,000 check

May 08, 2023 10:43AM ● By Collette Hayes

Longtime Holladay resident Tom Corlew opened his front door on a chilly Wednesday morning to find the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol standing there. (Collette Hayes/City Journals)

Longtime Holladay resident Tom Corlew opened his front door on a chilly Wednesday morning to find the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol standing there. While TV cameras rolled, the Prize Patrol handed Corlew an oversized check along with a real check for $10,000.  

Corlew had no idea he had won the sweepstakes prize money. Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol team member Danielle Lam held out the oversized check as Corlew opened the screen door to his house and after a moment of disbelief, Corlew said, “Is this actually the real thing?” Lam responded, “Yes, this is, you have just won the Publishers Clearing House $10,000 sweepstakes.”

According to Lam, Publishers Clearing House (PCH) was founded in 1953 by Harold and LuEsther Mertz as a magazine subscription agency. Over the years, Publishers Clearing House has progressively become a multimillion dollar interactive media company offering a broad range of products. The prize money that is awarded is funded by company revenues. Lam emphasized there is no purchase required to enter or to win and buying products does not give a sweepstakes entrant an advantage. 

“I’ve worked for PCH for over 15 years, and I have personally awarded over 300 million dollars in sweepstake prize money,” Lam said. “I literally have the best job in the entire world. I frequently get to meet and to hear the stories of people who are in need of some extra support and I’m part of making that happen for them.”

Now retired, Corlew already had a few ideas in mind of how he intends to spend his winnings. 

“I could use some help with yard work,” Corlew said. “I have a lot of pruning to do. I can no longer keep up with all of it. This will be great. I can finally get some needed help.”

Lam pointed out sweepstakes winner selection is completely random and unbiased. In 1989, PCH began notifying sweepstakes winners in person. The Prize Patrol travels the country awarding sweepstakes winnings delivered with bouquets of roses and the oversized check. Corlew didn’t expect the Prize Patrol to knock on his door and shared advice for those considering entering the PCH sweepstakes.

“I’ve entered a few times the last couple of years and sure, I’d hoped to win,” Corlew said. “Anyone thinking about entering should try it. You might just win something like this.”

According to sweepstakes regulations, Corlew is still eligible to enter again to try for the one million dollar or three million dollar life-changing sweepstakes. Who knows, the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol just might be knocking on his door again. λ