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For Immediate Release
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
United Way Car Drawing
Gets The Royal Touch
SANFORD — When one United Way donor wins a new car on Monday afternoon, the announcement will be made by royalty.
Shawntel Smith Wuerch, Miss America 1996, will be in Sanford to draw the winning name for Automobile Give-Away '08, a promotion to benefit the United Way of Lee County and its more than two dozen member agencies serving neighbors throughout Lee County.
About 70 semifinalists will be on hand for their chance to win a 2008 Pontiac G6 or 2008 Chevrolet HHR. To qualify for the drawing, entrants made a qualifying pledge to last fall's United Way annual campaign — contributing either the equivalent of one hour of pay per month for the year or making an annual donation of $500 or more.
Jan Hayes, executive director of the United Way of Lee County, says the appearance by a former Miss America simply adds a little more excitement to the drawing.
"When Shawntel heard about what was happening, she was enthusiastic about coming down and helping us out," says Hayes. "It's exciting enough to give away a new car, but how often do you get a chance to see a former Miss America in person?"
Now a resident of Raleigh, Wuerch was the reigning Miss Oklahoma when she earned the crown as the nation's 75th Miss America. After winning the title, she served as Ambassador to America's Youth for the School-to-Work Initiative, a program sponsored by the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor.
Wuerch is now executive vice president of administration for Motricity Inc., an international mobile phone content provider based in Durham, where she is responsible for human resources policy, professional development and training.
The native of Muldrow, Okla., received the 1997 National Friendship Award by the Best Friends Foundation and continues her work nationally as a popular motivational speaker and an advocate for important social causes.
Automobile Give-Away '08 is offered in partnership with Wilkinson Cadillac Chevrolet Pontiac Buick GMC of Sanford. The final drawing will be held Jan. 14 at 5:30 p.m. at Wilkinson, 1301 Douglas Drive in Sanford.
The United Way of Lee County has raised and distributed millions of dollars to help nurture children, enhance self-sufficiency and strengthen families. Contributions raised throughout the year, including the fall campaign, are distributed to more than two dozen member agencies dedicated to improving life for everyone in Lee County.
Press Contact
Jan Hayes, Executive Director
919.776.5823
janhayes@leecountyunitedway.org
Advisory to the Media
Shawntel Wuerch, Miss America 1996, will be available for interviews on Monday, Jan. 14, from 5:10 to 5:30 p.m. at Wilkinson. We regret that Wuerch's schedule prevented her from arriving earlier in the day, as originally planned. Her Web site, which includes small photos, is available at www.shawntel.com.
Automobile Give-Away '08 Semifinalists
Jose Hernandez Albarado, Margaret Baldwin, Kenneth Baxley, Marilyn Bellamy, Jo Ann Blackman, Amy Bobbitt, Donna Bodenhamer, Reba Bowman, Tabitha Petrina Brown-Ray, Linda Buchanan, John Buie, Holly Burgess, Karen Campbell, Shelby Carter, Samuel Castillo, Linda Caudle, Regina Childress, Susan Clegg, John Robert Crissman Jr., Jason Cross, Rosalind Dillon, Glenda Douglas, Steve Duval, Steve English, James Fallin, Sandra Fleming, Shirley Foxx, Matt Garrett, Billy Ray Hare, Holly Heldreth, Roxanne Jones Hunter, Angelika Hutchinson, Barbara Jackson, Teresa Jackson, Jeanne Jacobson, Brenda Johnson, Rhonda Langley, John William Lemons, Abner Lopez, Margaret Manhardt, Juan Martinez, Zelda Matthews, Doug McElveen, Patrick McGaughner, Billy McGehee, Dana McLean, Cindy Medlin, Jacqueline Murchison, Sean Norton, Beverly Parker, Shelley Patterson, John Payne, A. Raul Perez Ramos, Jimmie Lee Petty, Richard Phillips, Ricky Kenneth Poole, Barbara Rosser, Carol Smith, Tamela Stepney, Joseph Suloff, Elizabeth Suloff, Charles Taylor, Edna Taylor, Patricia Taylor, Lynn Trogdon, Delmar Tyler, Helen Williams, Rufus Jerry Willis, Cynthia Womack, and Angel Young.
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