Trussville resident wins $50,000 through sweepstakes

By Amalia Kortright, For the Tribune

TRUSSVILLE — Trussville resident Todd Villari was recently awarded a $50,000 cash prize after entering the “Love Your Home” sweepstakes, which was sponsored by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and based off of the HGTV program, “Love It or List It.” The local husband and father of four was selected from 3.3 million sweepstakes entries.

“We congratulate grand prize winner Todd Villari and all our weekly winners and wish them well in the years ahead,”  Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CEO Gino Blefari said.

Villari entered the “Love Your Home” sweepstakes when he saw it advertised on HGTV, which he frequently watches, and entered online through HGTV’s website.

via Facebook

“When I get bored sometimes, I just enter sweepstakes,”  Villari said. “My wife used to give me a hard time about it and now she doesn’t.”

Villari did not initially believe it when he was informed that he had won.

“They notified me by phone that I won. My initial reaction was, ‘No way. This must be a joke,” Villari said. “I told [my wife]. She didn’t believe it, either.”

According to Villari, there was no stipulation that the money be spent only on home improvement. However, he does plan on spending some of the money for that purpose.

“We have a long list of home improvement projects that we’ve wanted to do, which we’ve had before we won the contest,” Villari said. “I think it will enable us to do the things that we’ve been wanting to do to better our family and to make some upgrades that will enhance our house.”

The Villaris, who are members of Faith Community Fellowship in Trussville, have also donated some of the money to their church.

“The first check we’ve written was a ten percent donation to our church as a tithe,” Villari said.

Villari partially credits HGTV for inspiring him to enter the sweepstakes, as well as giving his wife ideas for new home improvement projects.

“They’ve just brought a new dynamic to American homes, besides the every day content that most people get bored with,” Villari said.

He and his family also credit Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices for sponsoring the contest. Villari said he encourages others to go and enter sweepstakes, despite the low probability of winning.

“You can not win unless you enter,” Villari said. “Most people think that online sweepstakes are just to get people’s e-mail addresses, but somebody has to win.”

Villari and his family have lived in Trussville for 13 years, and hope to call Trussville home for a long time.

“We enjoy where we live, and we have great friends and neighbors,” Valleri said. “We are very happy to be a part of this community, and we hope that this community will continue to grow and thrive.”