'Keep on playing baby,' local resident says after winning $10,000 on her birthday

Javon L. Harris, The Gainesville Sun
·2 min read
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When Julia Proctor, 67, walked outside to sit on her porch Friday, she had no idea that she’d be $10,000 richer just minutes later.

The Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol came to Hawthorne to surprise Proctor with a $10,000 check she’d won after playing its Wordmania app, which is in partnership with comedian and TV game show host Steve Harvey.

Julia Proctor smiles as she holds a $10,000 check she received on her birthday, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.
Julia Proctor smiles as she holds a $10,000 check she received on her birthday, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.

“I have been playing this for over three years,” Proctor said. “I always thought it was a scam but now I can see that it’s not.”

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Coincidentally, Friday was also Proctor’s birthday, making the surprise even more special.

Publishers Clearing House is known for a mix of free-to-play games and sweepstakes. The company was founded in 1953 as a magazine subscription agency.

While Proctor said she’s going to use some of her award money to pay off bills, she’s also plans on using it to go shopping.

The iconic Publishers Clearing House oversized check was given to Proctor with balloons, flowers and champagne.

Smiling, she said she plays the Wordmania app every opportunity she gets and was even up late last night playing.

Julia Proctor smiles as she holds a check for $10,000 delivered by Loren Williams of PCH on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.
Julia Proctor smiles as she holds a check for $10,000 delivered by Loren Williams of PCH on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.

“I never tell anyone that I’m playing because I never thought I’d win,” she said.

Wordmania is a free word game app where players can win cars, cash and other large prizes.

The Prize Patrol began delivering in-person awards in 1989 instead alerting winners over the phone.

Proctor, now retired, worked for the Tacachale Developmental Disability Center in northeast Gainesville for 30 years.

Publishers Clearing House has awarded nearly half a billion dollars in prizes with amounts ranging from $1,000 to $10 million. Winners are selected randomly.

The Prize Patrol was fortunate to find Proctor sitting outside. Sometimes, when the winner isn’t home, Publishers Clearing House to has to knock on surrounding doors to try and locate the entrant.

In her final message to a production team that recorded Friday’s exchange, Proctor said, “Keep on playing baby, don’t stop trying.”

Javon L. Harris is a local government and social justice reporter for The Gainesville Sun. He can be reached by phone at (352) 338-3103, by email at jlharris@gannett.com or on Twitter @JavonLHarris_JD.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Hawthorne resident wins $10,000 from Publishers Clearing House