Lake City Family Scores Big on TV Show

LAKE CITY, Ga. -- Caught in a crippling economy and no way to pay the bills, Felicia McCurdy took a chance. She sent an email to the Ellen DeGeneres Show explaining what she and her family faced in their small apartment.

"We had to put plastic on the windows to keep out the cold. We cook in the microwave; we use our deep fryer and a plug-in grill; so we just make due with what we have," McCurdy said.

Next thing she knew, her phone rang and it was Ellen DeGeneres saying the flatbed with the Gold Digger game onboard was outside her home.

She played the game and scooped up $2,000 -- hers to keep.

For the McCurdys, the money meant quite a change in their lives, but that was just the beginning.

"We're getting all the bills paid for the whole year. They're paying the gas bill, the light bill, the car insurance and rental insurance and my sons tuition," McCurdy said.

All told almost $16,000 worth of bills will be paid -- including the rent.

"Never in a million years did I ever think that Ellen would come to this little city in Georgia and bless my family with this. Not in a million years," she said. "I think a lot of people are going through things right now. This economy is really bad and people are really down. You may look at somebody and think you know what is going on in their lives, but you really and truly don't now whets going on behind closed doors with people. I just keep encouraging people to keep the faith and just believe that things will change -- because you never know what can happen."

Felicia McCurdy and her family never knew what could happen, but it's changed their lives.