Jeremy Ratliff
Reporter
It could be safe to say the advertisement of sweepstakes involving money giveaways are often times disregarded, or at best scrutinized, by the average person.
Merrill resident and mother of two Kathy Kufahl was no different, when she first received an e-mail last Tuesday from H&R Block, advising she may be a “possible winner” of the company’s “1,000 Win $1,000 Daily Sweepstakes.”
“I didn’t believe it at first,” Kufahl says with a chuckle. “I thought it was a scam.”
The e-mail advised her to reply within four business days, but just in case the notification was indeed legitimate, Kufahl replied on Wednesday. It was the ensuing phone call on Wednesday afternoon from the local Merrill office, when the reality of being a $1,000 winner really set in.
“The local office called me to set up a time for me to come get the check, but I think I was still in disbelief. We worked it out for me to come in Sunday. I think my daughters Mylie and Makenzie was more excited than I was, especially Mylie once she found about they were going to have cake!” Kathy adds with a laugh.
According to a press-release from H&R Block Inc, the company is giving away $1,000 to 32,000 people during the first month of tax season. Anyone who files their taxes at participating officers by Feb. 15 can be automatically entered to win the sweepstakes.
By filing early in the season, tax payers are helping protect themselves from tax-refund fraud. As part of its efforts to encourage tax payers to file their tax returns early in the season, H&R Block is giving away $32 million through its “1,000 Win $1,000 daily sweepstakes.”
“This campaign is about real people winning real money,” said Lori Turney, Enrolled Agent at H&R Block. “And for the next month there will be hundreds of celebrations in hundreds of cities daily celebrating Refund Season with our $1,000 winners.”
Sunday morning, Kathy and 5-year old Mylie arrived at the H&R Block office to claim their prize.
“They really make a big deal about it,” Kufahl adds. “It was kinda’ neat. They make you feel like you won the powerball!”
As for her plans, Kathy said she’s unsure at this point.
“I don’t really know to be honest. I’m thinking I will do something fun with my girls!”