United Way's Auto Raffle Raised Awareness and Dollars for Programs Serving Metro Detroit

DETROIT, Feb. 27 -- Three metro Detroit residents were the lucky winners in United Way Community Services' Ticket to Ride Automotive Raffle, which sold more than 8,000 tickets and raised approximately $200,000 to benefit United Way-supported programs and services to help those in metro Detroit. The raffle drawing was held Feb. 24 and the on-air surprise announcement and car delivery was made to each of the winners by Chuck Gaidica during the Feb. 26 WDIV-TV Local 4 newscasts, at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Al Campbell of Detroit, a package car driver for United Parcel Service and member of Teamster Local 243, won the DaimlerChrysler Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie 4x4 Quad Cab Truck with a 5.7 Liter Hemi Engine. Gerald Cook of Farmington Hills, partner, Honigman Miller Schwartz & Cohn, was the winning ticket holder for the James Bond limited edition Ford Thunderbird, one of only 700 being produced. The third winner was Jim Burton of Detroit, an employee of Lear Corp. and member of UAW New West Side Local 174, who won the General Motors HUMMER H2 with a luxury package.

"It has been a thrill to see this exciting project unfold over the past couple of months, raising not only dollars for United Way, but also awareness of services and programs serving metro Detroit," said Virgil H. Carr, president and CEO, United Way Community Services. "Each of the winners is an active volunteer in the community, giving their time to help serve those less fortunate. We are pleased to be able to surprise them with a new 2003 vehicle."

DaimlerChrysler Corp., Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. each donated a 2003 luxury vehicle. WDIV-TV Local 4 was the media partner for the Automotive Raffle, promoting the project through public service announcements, editorial and news coverage.

Carr added, "United Way's Automotive Raffle was a success thanks to the community's participation, the generosity of the Big Three Automakers who donated the vehicles, and the tremendous assistance from our media sponsor, WDIV-TV Local 4. The support of all of our partners demonstrates their ongoing commitment to United Way and those it serves."

United Way Community Services links the community to mobilize volunteer, financial and information resources to meet efficiently the human service needs of Detroit and southeastern Michigan. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way Community Services funds more than 130 tri-county health and human service organizations through its annual Torch Drive. These agencies impact local people each year by providing services that increase economic self-sufficiency, protect children and youth at risk, strengthen families, mobilize efforts for the hungry and homeless, and promote health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.unitedway.uwcs.org .

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