It’s always nice to win a prize, regardless what time of year.

But, with the area mired in the clutches of a nor’easter, and Christmas less than one week away, there was no time like the present for Mary Eckhart.

Eckhart was announced as the winner of the $1,000 grand prize in the third annual Times News Bingo contest during a Zoom meeting held Wednesday evening at the Lehighton Outdoor Center.

Clad in a red Santa Claus hat, Eckhart’s eyes lit up upon word that she had nabbed the top honor.

After the meeting, Eckhart, of Kunkletown, said, “I am very happy. There’s going to be a little bit better Christmas for everyone in my family.”

Eckhart said the win couldn’t have come at a better time.

“It will make everyone happy; spread it around a little bit,” she said. “We’ll have a better Christmas with it.”

Eckhart acknowledged there might even be a little something in it for her, even if it may take a while. “I’ll save some for when I can sit down somewhere nice to eat at a fancy restaurant,” she said.

Eckhart had a little help to come out on top.

“This year there was one number that I needed, and that was the day (she didn’t receive her paper), so I had to ask my nephew who gets the paper for his number, and his wife was doing it too, but she didn’t need that number,” she said. “It was meant to be; I needed B5, luckily she didn’t and she gave it to me.”

Eckhart, who said she reads the Times News every night, was among 25 finalists selected from all of the completed cards that were received.

The finalists then received invitations for the grand party meeting.

Jennifer Benninger, advertising director, said the Times News received over 930 cards.

Benninger congratulated the Top 25 finalists, and noted how this year has been challenging.

She thanked the sponsors, including the Lehighton Outdoor Center (main sponsor), Hager Furniture in Palmerton, Koch’s Lawn & Garden in New Ringgold, Relly’s Deli in Bowmanstown, and TN Printing.

Jen Rowden, marketing director, said the contest was a success despite the unusual circumstances.

“Many semifinalists are first-time Zoom users, and they have reached out to nieces, neighbors, grandchildren, and even church members to join in the fun and help them get connected tonight,” Rowden said. “Having to host the final giveaway via Zoom did not damper the excitement for bingo this year.”

Geraldine Kuehner, of Kunkletown, said she was glad for her niece.

“Keep it in the family,” Kuehner said. “It was fun, I enjoyed it.”

A first-time participant in the contest, Kuehner said, “I just decided to try it, see what happens. “It made me look forward to the paper each day to see if I had a number.”

The contest is exciting, said Tina Smith, of Jim Thorpe, a second year participant.

“Just checking the numbers, just the thrill of it; Smith said. “You never know what could happen ever; it was exciting, (and) it was great to be one of the Top 25.”

Smith will be back for more next year.

“Most definitely,” she said. “It was fun.”

The Times News launched its coverall bingo game Sept. 5, with the bingo card inserted into the newspaper.

Numbers were featured in the paper every day through Nov. 20 to cut out and tape or paste on cards.

Since the Times News offices were and are still closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was strongly recommended to mail in the completed bingo cards.

Rowden said there were collection boxes in vestibules for people to drop their cards.

A drawing to determine the 25 finalists was held on Dec. 1.