LaViolette, left, and Dun
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University's Kim LaViolette, landscaping, won a new automobile up to a value of $30,000 through a sweepstakes run by the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region.
WMU President John M. Dunn surprised her with the announcement Dec. 14 by driving up in a sponsor's car outside of the Bernhard Center and holding up a set of keys. Colleagues and onlookers who knew about the surprise broke out in applause.
A longtime donor, LaViolette said she's glad to make a difference in her community through United Way. "It's important to help people that need help," she said.
About the sweepstakes
According to interim CEO Chris Sargent, 6,801 contributors qualified for this year's sweepstakes drawing, representing $854,130 in donations. Donors were automatically entered if they were first-time givers of at least $50 in undesignated funds or gave an undesignated gift at least $25 above their previous year's donation. During this year's regional campaign, United Way and participating dealers displayed 40 automobiles at 24 workplace locations across the region.
The 2016 sweepstakes was supported by Kellogg Community Federal Credit Union, Cole Automotive Group, DeNooyer Chevrolet, Orrin B. Hayes Inc., Metro Imports, Seelye Auto Group, Lakeview Ford, Henkel Automotive Group, Heritage Chevrolet, Harold Zeigler Automotive Group and Sunshine Toyota.
Learn more about the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region at changethestory.org.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.