America Watches West Virginia Auditor Win $2 Million Grand Prize Package During Live HGTV Dream Home Giveaway

America Watches West Virginia Auditor Win $2 Million Grand Prize Package During Live HGTV Dream Home Giveaway

LAKE LURE, N.C., April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- When 56-year-old Donald P. Cook, an auditor from Alum Creek, W. Va., looked at his wife, Myrna, he saw red -- the red dress that inspired him to choose the red ball that held the key to the 2006 HGTV Dream Home at Grey Rock at Lake Lure, N.C. During HGTV Dream Home Giveaway, a live television special that aired on Saturday, April 29, 2006 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, Cook, one of three finalists in the largest consumer promotion in cable television history, won the 10th anniversary grand-prize package with a retail value of more than $2 million. In addition to the fully furnished, custom-built home that features more than 3,000 square feet of flooring from Lumber Liquidators, the grand prize package includes a matching Doggy Dream Home, an all-new 2007 GMC Yukon and a $250,000 cash prize from LendingTree.com.

(Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060430/NYSU004 )

The other two finalists, 29-year-old Julie Free of Blackwell, Okla., and 60-year-old Deanna Bains of Fairport, N.Y., each walked away $100,000 richer, while 20 viewers won from $10,000 to $100,000 in cash prizes.

"In a few years I'll remember how it felt," said Cook, referring to the moment he unlocked the door, "but right now I know I feel fantastic!"

Myrna, her sister, Joy and her niece, Valorie, raced to Donald's side to hug him and help him celebrate his new fortune. "I can't believe it!" said an excited Myrna, as she kissed him. "I can't believe we really won."

After the live television special, Donald and his family toured the house with co-hosts Mark L. Walberg and Joan Steffend as part of a live 10-minute broadband show on HGTV.com. Cook also received a key to the all-new 2007 GMC Yukon and was presented with the $250,000 check from LendingTree.com. Although he has muscular dystrophy and is in a wheelchair, Cook won't have any trouble navigating his new home or getting in and out of his new vehicle because both will be upgraded to accommodate his needs. He also received an additional surprise gift from HGTV -- a state-of-the-art telescope that he once mentioned would be his first purchase if he won the home.

"We wanted to do something extraordinary for our 10th Anniversary," said Judy Girard, president, HGTV. "The live broadcast was a compelling way for our viewers to share in the drama and excitement of this giveaway. And we were also able to engage online users with post-show extras on HGTV.com."

About the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway sweepstakes

One of the most successful consumer promotions in cable TV history, the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway involves sponsorship from several national advertisers including GMC Division -- General Motors Corporation, The Sherwin-Williams Company, BISSELL(R) Homecare, Inc., Lumber Liquidators, Inc., Moen Incorporated, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, JELD-WEN, inc., sanofi-aventis, Tacom, L.P., d/b/a Cosentino USA, California Closet Company Inc., LendingTree, LLC, Sub-Zero Freezer Company, Inc. & Wolf Appliance Company, LLC, LR Buffalo Creek, LLC, Land Resource Companies, LLC and all of its affiliated and subsidiary entities and all other participating product sponsors.

About HGTV

HGTV, America's leader in home and lifestyle programming, is distributed to more than 89 million U.S. households and is one of cable's top-rated networks. HGTV.com is the nation's leading online home and garden destination, drawing an average of 5.2 million unique visitors per month. HGTV owns 33 percent of HGTV Canada and provides much of the Canadian network's daily programming. The network's branded programming also can be seen in 41 other countries and its selected programming is available to service men and women on board Navy ships and through American Forces Radio & Television Service (AFRTS) which services more than 1,000 outlets in over 175 countries. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Nashville and New York, HGTV is wholly owned by The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE:SSP), which also operates Food Network, DIY - Do It Yourself Network, Fine Living and Great American Country.

About Land Resource Companies

Founded in 1997, Atlanta-based Land Resource Companies is committed to providing unique waterfront and mountain communities that offer a comfortable lifestyle choice, as well as preserving the existing natural beauty of the environment. The HGTV 2006 Dream Home marks the second time in three years that a Land Resource Companies' property has been selected by HGTV as the location for the HGTV Dream Home. With a philosophy of "several unique properties, one unique source," LRC is based on developing quality communities while maintaining the integrity of the area on which they are built. LRC communities offer the chance to step back in time to a more peaceful way of life, where you can actually enjoy those breathtaking views and walks in the park.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060430/NYSU004
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN1
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: HGTV

CONTACT: Emily Yarborough, +1-865-560-4643, or +1-865-803-3681,
eyarborough@hgtv.com; or Audrey Adlam, +1-212-549-8599, or +1-917-692-8327,
aadlam@hgtv.com, both of HGTV

Web site: http://www.hgtv.com/

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