Bay Ridge resident among the first to win $1,000 from H&R Block

One lucky Bay Ridge resident just got an advance on her tax refund in the form of a winning check from H&R Block.

Valen Nicholas – one of the first 1,000 winners picked to win $1,000 as part of H&R Block’s big refund season giveaway – stopped by her branch at Fifth Avenue and Bay Ridge Parkway on Friday, January 22 to collect her cash prize.

Nicholas – who, staff said, was confident she would win – was among the first names drawn on day one of the contest.

“She came in here and said ‘I’m gonna win,’” said H&R Block Tax Associate George Calivis, whose been working with Nicholas for years. “Then she goes and wins on the first day.”

“It just feels really good,” said the local mother. “I freaked out when I found out.”

The sweepstakes kicked off on January 16 with 1,000 winners being drawn daily through February 15. The final drawing will be drawn on February 19, bringing the total to 32,000 winners, and a total of $32 million being dished out by the tax prep company.