TEMECULA, CA – Pechanga Resort Casino’s three month Home Sweet Win! promotion ended with Mayra V. of Long Beach selecting the winning key to unlock her grand prize – a brand-new, four bedroom, three bath home in a premier gated Temecula community.
A single mom of three adult daughters and several grandchildren, Mayra explained she has never had a house of her own. Although she had a psychology degree in Mexico, she moved to the U.S. from Mexico many years ago in search of a better life for her daughters. She recalls all the struggles she and her family worked through in those early years – dropping the kids off at school then heading to class herself to learn English well. She also picked up a job in the Los Angeles area as a custodian for a trade union office. Now a trade union representative for medical professionals caring for the elderly in California, Mayra says she has always worked hard to provide and be there for her family.
One of 20 Pechanga finalists selected to participate in the Home Sweet Win finale, host Ty Pennington called Mayra’s name as the second to last person to select her finale box. She picked the sixth box on the right side, and then placed atop of it her lucky penny she found last week on the ground outside of her neighborhood church.
In the final moments of the Home Sweet Win! home giveaway, Ty Pennington counted down for the three final contestants. “Turn that key,” he exclaimed. Mayra’s key turned the lock and she became the only finalist to walk through the door on stage, signaling she won the brand new Temecula home.
“A lot of people mentioned this is the American dream and I believe it,” said Mayra as she fought back tears of joy. “This is going to be my first house. I’m a single mom and never had a chance to get a house, but now it’s my house, and I’m excited. I feel blessed. This is for me and for my family. I feel so much gratitude in my heart.”
The next day, Mayra met host Ty Pennington at the prize home. “I’m happiest when I’m with my family. That’s where I get my strength,” she said with her family looking on. Mayra will be moving in as soon as she can. “It’s a matter of a short time. I’ll be cooking carne asada for my family in here and making so many memories. It’s a dream come true.”
The two runners up in the Home Sweet Win! promotion at Pechanga Resort Casino each received $25,000.00 cash. Pechanga representatives announced that Home Sweet Win! will be back in 2026 with Ty Pennington returning for hosting duties. In addition to the home giveaway, Pechanga gave $50,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) to aid in their rebuilding efforts following January’s devastating wildfires. Habitat LA has a long history of assisting vulnerable households after disasters.