Petersen wins Cruze at ‘12 Keys of Christmas Car Giveaway’
By Kelli Rollin
kelli.rollin@theindependent.com Dec 14, 2017
Devin Petersen held the lucky key Thursday night at Tom Dinsdale Automotive and Heartland United Way’s “12 Keys of Christmas Car Giveaway” event.
Petersen, who works in the ammunition department at Hornady, graduated from Aurora Public Schools and now lives in Giltner. He said he was nervous standing up front as different numbers were called out: and then there were two.
The winner of the car is awarded by process of elimination. United Way donors who donated $270 or more to the campaign earned a chance to win the new 2017 Chevy Cruze. Twelve donors were randomly selected and had a one in twelve chance to win the car. The eleven others didn’t walk away empty-handed, though.
Tom Dinsdale randomly picked a ping pong ball and stuffed it in his pocket. Then, the twelve donors picked a box off the crimson Cruze that contained a numbered key inside of it. The remaining numbered ping pong balls were drawn to match the numbered keys. Whomever’s number wasn’t called would eventually reveal the winner and number in Dinsdale’s pocket.
The prizes donated by sponsors in finishing place order were as follows:
12 — $100 American Airlines gift card; Tom Dinsdale Automotive, Tom and Kim Dinsdale
11 — 10 free car washes; Kermit’s Super Wash, Alan Usher
10 — $100 HyVee gift card; Grand Island HyVee
9 — $100 gift certificates; Necropolis Group, Brent Lindner
8 — $100 Visa gift card; Gary Thompson Agency, Krae Dutoit and Ryan Hansen
7 — $100 gift card to Bosselman Pump and Pantry; Charlie Bosselman & Brian Fausch
6 — 10 free car washes; Kermit’s Super Wash
5 — $100 HyVee gift card
4 — $100 gift certificates for Necropolis Group
3 — $100 Visa gift card; Gary Thompson Agency
2 — $100 gift card to Bosselman Pump and Pantry
It all came down to Bradley Bell of Great Western Bank and Petersen. Once Bell’s number was called to win the $100 Pump and Pantry gift card, the men shook hands, both with wide smiles.
“This is the biggest thing I ever won,” Petersen said, seemingly still in shock.
Petersen said he didn’t know what his next plans are with his smooth ride. “I haven’t thought that far ahead,” he said. All Petersen could think about was calling his wife to share the exciting news.
Karen Rathke, President of the Heartland United Way, thanked everyone for contributing to the campaign.
“All of you play a special part in Hall, Hamilton and Merrick Counties,” Rathke said.
Tom Gdowski, a campaign chair for Hall County this year, announced the total raised in the campaign for the community. The campaign total was $1,403,769, which doesn’t include donations from Go Big Give.
Petersen may have been the big winner Thursday night, but he knows the whole community wins from campaigns the Heartland United Way does. He said he gives to help his community. Though he may not know specifically what organization each of his specific dollars go to, he thinks it’s great because the Heartland United Way disperses the money to local organizations.
“I think it’s important just to give back,” Petersen said. “And they (the Heartland United Way and Tom Dinsdale Automotive) have given back in a big way.”