News

United Way Community Incentive Raffle Winners

December 07 2009

ELKHART-  Today United Way of Elkhart County made good on their promise to award three lucky winners prizes from their first Community Incentive Raffle.  Any individual who donated at least $3 a week ($156 annually) was eligible for the drawing.    

The intention of the raffle was two fold.  “We wanted donors to understand that it doesn’t take a lot of money to make a huge difference in our community and we hoped to increase the average gift of just over $2 a week,” commented Jessica Koscher, Vice President of Resource Development and Marketing.  Koscher went on to say, “We’ve had people not only give for the very first time but also increase their donations.  We feel blessed to live in a community where people have the desire to help one another.” In order to make the Community Incentive Raffle a success, United Way realized the prizes would have to be special.  Working with long time corporate partners, United Way was able to leverage three wonderful gifts. 

Martin’s Super Markets, who earlier in the year had donated paper grocery bags for the National Association of Letter Carriers food drive again showed their community spirit.  Dave Mayfield, Martin’s Super Markets Advertising Manager was the first to agree to participating in the program by donating $2,000 in Martin’s gift cards. 

Menno Travel, who in the past had donated travel incentives for United Way to recognize volunteers agreed to contribute to the raffle.  Initially they recommended a 7 night Royal Caribbean Cruise.  However, after some discussion they added airfare and a $400 spending allowance.  The winner of this prize only needs to pack a bag and go.  

Tom Naquin Auto Group, has been a huge supporter of United Way for many years.  Donating a 2009 Chevy Aveo as one of the prizes is just one more example of their corporate leadership.   The Community Incentive Raffle would not have been as successful this year, had it not been for the support of companies all across the county who invited United Way to solicit their employees.  

Currently the local campaign is nearing $1.6 million dollars with 30% of the campaign still to be finalized.  “Companies this year have been engaged and excited.  We have nine companies right now who increased their fundraising 100% and seven companies who raised $10,000 or more above the year before.  We know the Community Incentive Raffle had a major impact all around the county,” comments Koscher.  

The 2009 Community Incentive Raffle winners are:

• Susan Platt, an art teacher at Pierre Moran Middle School with Elkhart Community Schools won the $2,000 in free groceries from Martin’s Super Markets
• Greg Brown, a plant manager at Supreme Corp was the winner of the 7 night Royal Caribbean  cruise donated by Menno Travel
• Diana Wagoner, who works as a third shift nurse at Elkhart General Hospital was the winner of the new Chevy Aveo donated by Tom Naquin Auto Group.