You Never Know when "Hey Fill this Out" can Turn into $1,000 by Helena Mitchell & Erika Murillo - City News Group, Inc.

Community Calendar

MAY
S M T W T F S
26 27 28 29 30 01 02
03 04 05 06 07 08 09
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
View Events
Submit Events
directory

You Never Know when "Hey Fill this Out" can Turn into $1,000

By Helena Mitchell & Erika Murillo, Editor & Community Writer
February 5, 2014 at 11:17am. Views: 173

Jessica Gonzales, a life-long resident of Colton, was elated and surprised as Abe Sanchez, her boyfriend of 3 and a half years, told her she was the winner of the most recent Shop N’ Win monthly coupon book sweepstakes and would take home the $1,000 grand prize. Gonzales, who celebrated her 27th birthday on Friday, Jan. 30, had no idea her boyfriend knew the news beforehand. Sanchez was the first to know about his girlfriend being named the winner, after receiving a voicemail from Margie Miller of City News Group, but wanted the moment to be special and surprise her so he called her and told her he wanted to tell her something, but not over the phone, in person. “I have something to tell you, but I want to tell you in person,” is what Sanchez said according to Gonzales. “I didn’t know if it was good or bad,” recalls Gonzales, "It was good." As is one of 10 siblings in her family, and the aunt to 20 nieces and nephews, it's no surprise that the one of the first things that Gonzales did after finding out she had won the sweepstakes was contact her family. Her mother has survived two types of cancer, colon and ovarian; all within the past two years. Last year she was part of her family's Team Acosta at the Walk for Cancer event at Eisenhower High School for her cancer surviving mother and her grandmother, Mary Acosta who succumbed to cancer in 2000. When Gonzales is not with her family you can find her hiking Mt. Rubidoux or The Loop in Claremont. Gonzales who works as a professional eyebrow artist at Zia Threading in Colton said the money was truly a surprise and knows exactly what she is going to use her winnings on. Although she aspires to one day open her own salon in the Inland Empire, Gonzales is going to use her winnings towards something else that is close to her heart: her church. A life-long member of Redeemer’s House Praise Chapel, now located in Moreno Valley, formerly in Fontana, Gonzales looks forward to contributing to the church's current expansion efforts. “I was excited,” recalled Gonzales thinking of the moments after she found out she had won the sweepstakes, “I never win anything. My boyfriend is the one who gets the coupons and tells me to fill them out. He says 'you never know if we are going to win'”, and that they did. For your chance to win $1,000, be sure to snag a copy of the Shop N' Win coupon sweepstakes book, and use the coupons for your chance to win! To obtain a copy of the Shop N' Win, call (909) 825-1115.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Celia North, Community Writer

May 13, 2026 at 01:38pm. Views: 57

Simple, handmade labels keep your garden organized while adding a personal touch to every row.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Miles Thornton, Community Writer

May 13, 2026 at 01:38pm. Views: 67

Natural ingredients arranged for homemade cleaners illustrate an easy approach to maintaining a fresh, effective, and chemical-reduced household.

Photo Courtesy of: Ivy Tinne

By Ellis Greenwood, Community Writer

May 13, 2026 at 01:38pm. Views: 55

Low-maintenance succulents add texture, color, and modern style to front yards while thriving in Southern California’s dry climate.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group AI-generated Image

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

May 13, 2026 at 01:38pm. Views: 148

Business professionals and community leaders attend a luncheon networking event featuring guest speakers and local updates.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Morneo Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

May 13, 2026 at 01:38pm. Views: 146

Ten Years and Going Strong: Moreno Valley Volunteers Join the Mayor and City Council for Another Beautify MoVal Community Day of Service

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

May 13, 2026 at 01:38pm. Views: 75

Jabbar, an eight-year-old, black and white Staffordshire Mix.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By William Cortez, Community Writer

May 13, 2026 at 01:38pm. Views: 147

This fun and family-friendly event features hands-on exhibits, exciting demonstrations, music, food, and lots of giveaways!

Photo Courtesy of: Dr.G (Dr. Luis S. González)

By Dr. G (Luis S. Gonzalez), Community Writer

May 13, 2026 at 01:38pm. Views: 164

Eighteen student leaders who were recognized by Colton City Council May 5, 2026

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

May 13, 2026 at 01:38pm. Views: 142

Brenden Muir proudly represents Titan Baseball with dedication, leadership, and passion both on and off the field.

Photo Courtesy of: Truly Adams

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

May 13, 2026 at 01:38pm. Views: 196

Truly “The Truth” Adams secures a second-place podium finish at NOLA Motorsports Park during the opening rounds of the 2026 Ligier Junior Formula Championship.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group AI Generated Image

By William Cortez, Community Writer

May 13, 2026 at 01:38pm. Views: 158

a Driver getting a ticket and being pulled over for not wearing a seat belt.

Photo Courtesy of: Alisha James

By Carl M. Dameron , Contributing Writer

May 13, 2026 at 01:38pm. Views: 189

PHOTO CAPTION: “This means so much to me because I love my students and the population I serve,” said Black Rose Award Winner Alisha James, Senior High Teacher at San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD).

--> -->