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| PUBLISHERS CLEARING HOUSE CELEBRATES 50 YEARS |
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Updated: Sat, March 1, 2003 12:00 EDT
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| 50 Years of Partnership with the Post Office. Executive Vice President Deborah Holland and Senior Vice President Todd Sloane, of the PCH Prize Patrol, present a Certificate of Appreciation to Postmaster Jean Fu Trezza and the staff of the Port Washiington Branch of the U.S. Postal Service. |
The year 2003 is a big one for Publishers Clearing House! We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of our founding – right here in Port Washington, New York, the town that’s been our home from the beginning.
The half-century milestone was commemorated on March 1 -- as local dignitaries and PCH employees gathered for a ceremony at the US post office in “Port” (as the locals call it), within sight of the house where Harold and LuEsther Mertz started the company – in their basement!
The longstanding partnership between PCH and the US Postal Service was another cause for celebration. Executive Vice President Deborah Holland presented the local postmaster with a bouquet of roses and a giant “Certificate of Appreciation” – just the way our famous Prize Patrol surprises sweepstakes winners on TV.
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| A Terrific Custom Cake from the U.S. Postal Service. Everyone enjoyed this delicious layer cake, which was decorated with an edible photo of the Prize Patrol and our local postman! |
Borrowing from the old postal service credo, Ms. Holland said, “Neither rain, nor hail, nor sleet nor snow can stop the Publishers Clearing House mailings from arriving in the nation’s mailboxes, thanks to United States Postal Service and the awesome partnership we have.”
The same could be said of the Prize Patrol. Nothing prevents us from faithfully awarding huge cash prizes all year long, every year. In fact, we have awarded over $187 million in prizes since we added the sweepstakes to our mailings: to bring people’s attention to the “unbeatable magazine values” and fine merchandise offers inside.
The basement of the Mertz household couldn’t contain the company’s quick success for long. From the start, consumers across America realized Publishers Clearing House had a good thing going: great value, great variety, great convenience and service. So the company kept growing and now occupies a modern two-building complex overlooking a pretty pond at our famous address: 101 Winners Circle, Port Washington, NY 11050. Over the years, we figure over ten billion pieces of mail have gone back and forth from our house to your house and to every corner of America, always delivering something exciting, including the chance to strike it rich. We are proud to be called, “The House Where Dreams Come True.”
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The Mayor's Proclamation. The Mayor of Port Washington North, Thomas Pellegrino, declared Publishers Clearing House "an excellent neighbor."
Furthermore, he said that from here on in, the first week of March will be Publishers Clearing House Week in Port Washington!
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Through our mail and TV appearances, everyone knows how Publishers Clearing House has touched the lives of numerous sweepstakes winners. But you may not know this: Through the vision and generosity of our founders, the lives of countless Americans have also been touched. While they were alive, Mr. and Mrs. Mertz spread the rewards of their hard work and good fortune throughout the Port Washington and greater New York areas. Then, after their deaths, a large part of their holdings went to various foundations and charitable trusts. Today, over 40% of the company’s earnings go directly to charities, which benefit the arts, the environment, healthcare and a wide range of social services across the nation.
Half a century is a long time, and we all know how things can change, even in a few short years. But great value, convenience, service and the chance to strike it rich will always be in style – and you can count on Publishers Clearing House for that. So, thanks for being part of our first fifty, and “Here’s to our continued friendship!” in the years ahead.
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