Boone woman cruises

away in new car
By Sherrie Norris

Tammy Guilford of Boone could not find words to describe her excitement as she was named the winner of a 2007 PT Cruiser in the High Country United Way car raffle.

Guilford was among 10 weekly winners of the recent raffle who gathered at Ross Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Boone on Valentine’s Day to see which one would be cruising happily out of the dealership parking lot a short time later.

Contestant Jan Greer told High Country United Way (HCUW) director Jenny Miller that she had been praying that the person needing the car the most would be the winner.

After the drawing, Guilford said, “My ’93 Chevy Caprice is right now on its last leg. I was building up my muscles driving that thing. This feels wonderful … I can’t even begin to explain what this means.”

The grateful mother of two was in tears as her envelope revealed that she had won the car. In the envelopes of her nine fellow contestants were $100 gas cards, not a bad consolation prize, they all agreed.

Guilford said Monday evening via her cell phone, having had time to let her good news sink in, that, “The shock has worn off, but the only way that I know it’s all real is because I’m sitting here in it right now. It’s a wonderful, beautiful blessing – a sign that God is watching over me.”

Guilford said that since Christmas, her family “has been through a lot,” including the death of two family members.

“… My son (10 years old) was out of town over the weekend with his older sister and he was so excited when he got home to see our new car. I drove him to school today by way of Hardee’s first. It felt so good,” she said.

Guilford said she is so proud to be able to drive her new car to work at Cheap Joe’s. “I can drive that thing up there and park right in front where everybody can see it. They are all happy for me, too,” she said.

Guilford said she wanted to thank Randy Ross and the United Way for what they have done for her. “United Way is a wonderful organization to donate to. I live in Bradford Park right near the Hunger Coalition, which is supported by United Way, and I can see every day how much these organizations help people in need. It’s all good … That’s all I know to say,” she said.

Ross, a key leader in last year’s inaugural raffle, joined at that time by three fellow auto dealers in Boone, was the lone contributor this year.

During the raffle kickoff earlier this year, Ross said, “It’s just a great way to give back to the community.

The United Way is able to help so many people through their partnering agencies, and an important aspect of that is all of the money they raise stays right here in this area. That means a lot to me.”

He was all smiles as Guilford claimed her prize and hopped inside the car, tears streaming down her face and clutching a large pink teddy bear that Miller had just presented to her.

“Can I start it?” she asked Ross.

Ross described the snazzy ride as a “real gas saver,” marine blue pearl in color with a list price of $16,125.
The vehicle has a manual transmission, 2.4-liter engine and is fully equipped with a remote keyless entry, power windows and a powerful AM/FM/CD stereo system with six speakers.

The car has become a familiar site around town since the raffle kicked off, displayed at various locations as an incentive to keep the raffle tickets selling.

In addition to Guilford, the finalists in the raffle were Elizabeth “Pam” Icenhour, a Harris Teeter employee; Mary Louise Roberts, an employee at High Country Bank; Alan Greene, Harris Teeter; David Goldstein, First Citizens Bank of Boone; Kathy Greene, Wachovia Bank of Boone; Chris Simons, Mast Store; Jan Greer, RBC Centura; Crystal Darden, Lowes, Banner Elk; and Dave Cliett, Mast Store, most of whom were involved in the workplace-giving part of the United Way campaign.

Weekly drawings have been held at various locations across the Watauga-Avery area each Friday since they began on Dec.7.

“Everyone is a winner,” said Miller, who emphasized that all the money raised through the raffle goes toward the organization’s campaign goal of $600,000, which, when distributed later this year among partnering agencies, “will go a long way to help a lot of people.”

The HCUW estimates that 92 percent of its goal ($552,000) has been met this week, with $35,800 of that amount raised through the raffle. The campaign ends March 31.

Miller and Jason Triplett, campaign chairman, were joined for the drawing by HCUW representatives Danny Greene, board chair; Patrice Auspitz, office manager; and Susan Stuber, administrative assistant in charge of marketing.

Triplett thanked the participants for giving to United Way and to Ross for making the raffle possible.

“Five years ago, our goal was to raise $150,000,” Miller said. “While this year’s $600,000 goal is ambitious, we know it’s attainable because the people of this mountain region have never failed to help their neighbors.
“With the campaign ending March 31, there's still plenty of time for all of us to see that we don't fall short.”

She added, “The money raised here stays here, helping support 25 local service agencies that direct nearly 40 programs that are critical to alleviate pain, hunger and neglect in our communities.”

For more information on how you can help meet the goal, contact the office of High Country United Way at P.O. Box 247, 671 West King St., Boone, N.C. 28607; or phone (828) 265-2111.