INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 68-year-old Vero man got quite the surprise Friday afternoon when he learned he won a sweepstakes competition, leading him to earn two lifetime awards of $2,500 a week.
“It’s unbelievable,” said ‘Forever Prize’ winner Douglas Butcher, who wore a shirt that read “God Loves You” during the surprise. This is the first Publisher’s Clearing House Prize Patrol event with a big monetary reward in Vero Beach, Executive Director Dave Sayer said.
The patrol travels across the country surprising unsuspecting cash prize winners.
The PCH Prize Patrol about noon Friday carried a giant cardboard check along with balloons, champagne and flowers to a red truck Butcher was in near 8th Avenue Southwest. Cameramen filmed as PCH crews surprised Butcher, who was talking on the phone.
*Note for videos – Click the audio icon in the lower right hand corner for audio.
Vero resident Douglas Butcher got quite the surprise Friday when the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol surprised him with two lifetime awards of $2,500 a week. Butcher, 68, said he has participated in sweepstakes competitions since 2000. See his surprise reaction here.
Posted by Nick Samuel on Friday, October 26, 2018
PCH crews gave Butcher a real check of $25,000 to start off the process. Butcher – who has been participating in sweepstakes competitions since 2000 – said he might purchase a home or another vehicle with the money.
“Persistence pays off,” PCH Prize Patrol Elite Howie Guja said.
Butcher has two lifetime monetary awards, but will only get to collect one. For the second lifetime award, Butcher has 30 days to choose a recipient who will get to earn the $2,500 a week for the rest of their lives after Butcher dies, Sayer said.
Sayer said PCH representatives will be in touch with Butcher regarding financial matters. PCH has awarded more than $393 million in prizes since its inception in 1953, according to its website.
Comments