Publishers Clearing House’s Prize Patrol, which has given away millions of dollars worth of rewards to citizens nationwide, visited Lincoln on Friday to present a $10,000 prize.
Camille Himmelberg was set to receive champagne, balloons, a dozen roses, and a large check but she had no idea she had won.
Camille noted that she had been participating in Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes for well over ten years. Camille, who has spent her entire life in Lincoln, claimed that incidents like this don’t typically occur to locals.
Camille added that she’s seen her fair share of skeptics and was glad to finally display her sizable check as evidence that success is attainable. Camille claimed the first thing she was planning to do with her $10,000 check was put a down payment on a new car.
No one was at home to see Camille’s reaction or join in on the celebration, but she told 10/11 NOW that she and her boyfriend will be doing so tonight.
FARGO — It was the first time the Publishers Clearing House crew flew into North Dakota and the last state in the lower 48 they had been to. They made a quick stop at Osgood Hornbacher’s in south Fargo to buy roses before heading to surprise the big winner.
“So she’s entered a lot,” Howie Guja of Publishers Clearing House said.
“No, she has no idea she won $10,000,” Guja said. Winding through neighborhoods in south Fargo, the Publishers Clearing House crew finally found the winner’s home. “You never know what you are walking into with this job,” Guja said.
“The Prize Patrol is in Fargo, North Dakota, to surprise Wendy Folkestad with $10,000. She won the weekly grand prize. Let’s go see if she’s home,” Guja said during a social media spot.
After a cold winter walk to the front door it was time for the big surprise. In more ways than one.
“I hope this is good,” said Wendy Folkestad’s husband Tom Folkestad.
“We’re looking for Wendy,” Guja said.
“She is at work right now,” Tom Folkestad said.
“I am Howie, you probably figured out where I am from,” Guja said.
“Probably from Publishers Clearing House,” Tom Folkestad said.
“Bingo,” Guja said.
Wendy and Tom Folkestad have been saving for a river boat cruise, and he says they should be able to make the trip now.
But Wendy Folkestad had to receive the check, so off to Moorhead they went.
Tom Folkestad walked into Wendy Folkestad’s place of business, the Clay County Social Services Department in Moorhead.
Wendy Folkestad came to the lobby and had no clue what was about to happen.
“What’s happening? I don’t want to have a heart attack,” Wendy Folkestad said.
“You won $10,000 from Publishers Clearing House,” Guja said.
“I’m shaking. (…) This is fantastic. I’ve dreamed about this,” Wendy Folkstad said.
“Thank you so much,” Wendy Folkstad said to the crew.
“Dreams can come true, you guys,” Wendy Folkstad said.
Starting in 1953 with door-to-door subscriptions by mail, Publishers Clearing House is currently celebrating its 70th year. The company hands out awards of $1 million to $10 million three times a year.
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