Local family wins $300K for using Sears credit card

A $500 purchase on a Sears credit card has made the Bingham family of Colorado Springs $300,000 richer.

Chris and Michelle Bingham, who have lived in the Constitution Hills neighborhood for 10 years, were the grand-prize winners in a first-of-its-kind sweepstakes promotion from Sears called the "Reimagine Your Home Giveaway."

"Isn't it crazy? We couldn't believe it," Michelle Bingham said Wednesday.

Customers of 2,400 Sears stores nationwide were entered in the sweepstakes every time they used their Sears credit card on purchases made March 2-29.

The Binghams signed up for a Sears credit card account the day they bought a $500 water heater in March - and that first purchase was selected as the winner.

"We're grateful," said Bingham, a 36-year-old stay-athome mom of four children ranging in age from 4 to 18.

Her husband, Chris, a 41-year-old computer administrator for Hewlett-Packard Co., was hospitalized with pneumonia in June when FedEx delivered a letter announcing their new financial status.

"I said, ‘I have something that will make you feel better,'" Bingham said. "He didn't believe it until the notary public came to the hospital to have him sign the documents."

The couple received a ceremonial oversized check a week ago at the Sears store at Chapel Hills Mall, but some of the real check has already been spent.

The couple is using a chunk of the money to add hardwood floors, finish their basement, buy furniture and install a new roof. They've also paid off a few debts and plan to save some of the windfall for college educations for their children.

They also will continue to be regular shoppers at Sears, having bought most of their major appliances there.

"It's been nice to be able to have some money to do what we want. People say we're so lucky and just want to touch us," Bingham said.

She's won a few other things, including $400 in the lottery and $4,000 in a sports pool, but nothing close to this magnitude.

"Winning the sweepstakes was the last thing on our minds when our water heater went out," Bingham said, "and it's still surreal."

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Contact the writer: 636-0235 or debbie.kelley@gazette.com