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: 167

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: Elysia Fernandez

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

May 6, 2026 at 01:50pm. Views: 694

Outstanding young artist Johnathan Torres displays one of his featured pieces alongside Jason Greeley and Grand Terrace Mayor, Bill Hussey during the Grand Terrace Art Show. Torres was recognized for showcasing multiple works in watercolor, acrylic, and pencil.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.kenneyloans.com/

By Lois Kenney, Mortgage Loan Officer , Community Writer

May 5, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 763

Lois Kenney Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS# 379809, has more than 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry as a trusted Loan Officer

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group AI Generated Image

By William Cortez, Community Writer

May 6, 2026 at 01:50pm. Views: 847

Two kids celebrating Mothers day by giving their mother flowers and kisses.

Photo Courtesy of: Yeri Lee

By Wyatt Pierce, Community Writer

May 5, 2026 at 12:27pm. Views: 531

Turn chaos into clarity with a splash of color that helps your brain sort, remember, and succeed faster.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Paige Mercer, Community Writer

May 5, 2026 at 12:27pm. Views: 482

A well-stocked emergency kit with essential medical supplies can help you respond quickly and confidently in unexpected situations.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Monica Alvarez, Community Writer

May 5, 2026 at 12:27pm. Views: 479

Turn blank walls into statement pieces with pattern, patience, and a steady hand.

Photo Courtesy of: MsMothwoman

By Faith Montgomery, Community Writer

May 5, 2026 at 12:27pm. Views: 483

Your hardest chapters can become the very story that empowers someone else to keep going.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Isabella Grant, Community Writer

May 5, 2026 at 12:28pm. Views: 619

Fluffy eggs folded around sautéed spinach and crumbled feta create a savory, protein-packed omelette ideal for a fresh and satisfying breakfast.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Lucas Hart, Community Writer

May 5, 2026 at 12:28pm. Views: 510

Let your imagination take over with these fun sock puppets.

Photo Courtesy of: Pexels

By Miriam Lawson, Community Writer

May 6, 2026 at 01:50pm. Views: 397

Children remind us that every life is a blessing from God, entrusted to us with love, purpose, and sacred responsibility.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Paige Mercer, Community Writer

May 5, 2026 at 12:28pm. Views: 481

A minimalist cardboard desk calendar proves that simple materials can create a clean, functional way to stay organized year-round.

Photo Courtesy of: Dean Vargus

By Mike Hoover Vice President, Secretary. Inland Empire Civil War R, Community Writer

May 6, 2026 at 01:50pm. Views: 690

1st United States Sharpshooters, Company “F”, Union Army of the West.

From left to right, rear row, Dave Dewey, Mike Schulte, Ed Allen, Gabe Jimenez, Richard Maynard


Sitting, front row, left to rt: Corporal Paul Renner, 1st Sergeant Dean Vargas

--> -->