His family didn’t believe the news right away. “They thought it was a scam,” he said. But as things unfolded, the win became very real. His own reaction stayed low-key: “I took some time to think and went down to the beach.” No big scene, just a moment to take it all in.
Burkholder’s approach was based on practicality. He’d been “trying to buy a house” and had pulled back on entries in recent months. So when the prize came through, it wasn’t just a cool truck but a financial solution for what’s ahead.
His blunt advice for others thinking about entering was backed by experience: “Ten dollars can change your life. I spent $35 and won $150K.” That kind of return-on-investment speaks for itself, especially from someone who’s been in it for the long haul.
Burkholder kept it simple for anyone still questioning whether the giveaways are real: “Just do your research and know what you’re doing.” Coming from someone who’d followed along for years and stayed actively involved, the advice was grounded in reality.