The Prize Patrol from Publishers Clearing House traveled to Santa Monica on Friday to award $10,000 to local resident Cheryl Pappas, who had absolutely no idea the crew was coming.
Host Danielle Lam said she regularly travels across the country to award unsuspecting applicants and shared Publishers Clearing House has awarded more than $494 million dollars in prizes nationwide since the popular program first began.
Most winners say they intend to use the money to cover bills or take a vacation, but Pappas said she is going to give some of the prize money to charity.
“And I am going to personally write some checks to people who need some money. That’s what I really think I’m doing with it,” Pappas said during the check presentation. “There are people who are really, really struggling now and I really think it’s important to give because it bounces right back.”
Residents interested in entering the sweepstakes can do so by filling out a form at bit.ly/36r0Akj.