For Mayra V. of Long Beach, May 30 was not just another Friday night. It was the moment her dreams, perseverance, and perhaps a little divine intervention aligned in the form of a shiny penny, a prophetic dream, and a sparkling new set of house keys.
The single mother of three adult daughters and proud grandmother stood center stage at Pechanga Resort Casino, surrounded by lights, anticipation, and host Ty Pennington. As the second-to-last finalist to step forward in the grand finale of the Home Sweet Win! promotion, Mayra clutched a key and a coin—one she’d found outside her neighborhood church just days earlier. That “lucky penny,” as she called it, sat atop the box she selected. Moments later, as the key turned smoothly in the lock, the crowd erupted in cheers. Mayra had just won a brand-new, four-bedroom, three-bath home in a prestigious gated community in Temecula.
“This is going to be my first house,” she said, visibly emotional. “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.”
Born and raised in Mexico, Mayra earned a psychology degree before making the life-changing decision to move to the United States in pursuit of a better future for her daughters. She spent her early years in the U.S. balancing English classes, custodial work, and the demands of motherhood. From dropping her daughters at school to heading off to class herself, her days were packed with determination.
Now a trade union representative advocating for healthcare workers caring for the elderly, Mayra’s commitment to others hasn’t wavered. Her daughters and grandchildren describe her as their rock, always giving selflessly.
“She always supported us with everything she has,” one daughter said. “To see her finally receive something of this magnitude is the biggest blessing. She deserves it.”
Long before her name was even announced as a finalist in the Home Sweet Win! giveaway, Mayra had a vivid dream—one that would later give her chills. “I saw a big house with white floors and white cabinets,” she recalled. “I wrote it down because it felt different, important.”
Then came the lucky penny. She spotted it outside her neighborhood church and instinctively picked it up. Instead of pocketing it, she carried it inside and prayed. That’s when something shifted.
Weeks later, her name was called as one of the 20 finalists in Pechanga’s three-month-long promotion. Each finalist had a chance to select a box containing a key—only one of which would open the door to the prize home. Standing under the hot lights of the finale stage, she gently placed the penny on the sixth box on the right and waited her turn.
When Ty Pennington gave the cue—“TURN THAT KEY!”—Mayra turned the key. The door opened. And just like that, a new chapter began.
Mayra and her family met Ty Pennington again the next day at the stunning Meritage Homes property in Temecula’s Prado community. Her face lit up the moment she stepped inside.
“There they are—the white cabinets!” she laughed. “And the light floors, just like I saw in the dream.”
The spacious home includes a chef-inspired kitchen, energy-efficient features, Whirlpool appliances, and a sizable backyard perfect for family barbecues. The gated community boasts resort-style amenities such as a pool, clubhouse, and picnic areas—everything Mayra envisioned for her next chapter.
“It’s just a matter of time before I’m cooking carne asada for my family here,” she said. “This house is going to be full of love and memories.”
While Mayra took home the top prize, the two other finalists didn’t walk away empty-handed—each received $25,000 in cash. The Home Sweet Win! promotion, which ran from March to May, was exclusive to Pechanga Rewards Club members, drawing participants from across Southern California and beyond.
Pechanga representatives also announced that Home Sweet Win! will return in 2026, once again hosted by Ty Pennington.
And the generosity didn’t stop there. In the spirit of giving, Pechanga also donated $50,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) to support rebuilding efforts after the January wildfires. The nonprofit is well-known for helping families recover and rebuild after natural disasters.
For Mayra and her family, Pechanga Resort Casino is now something much more than a casino. It’s the place where her journey of perseverance led to an unforgettable reward. A house. A haven. A dream come true.
For more on Pechanga Resort Casino and the Home Sweet Win! promotion, visit Pechanga.com.
