Friday, Aug. 22, will be long remembered as a lucky day for Jon Curlee, whose name was drawn for a brand new 2014 2LS Black Coupe Chevrolet Camaro at Bowman Chevrolet in Clarkston.
About 2,200 tickets were sold for $25 each to benefit Grace Centers of Hope. Attendence wasn’t required to win, so less than a dozen showed up at the drawing. Curlee was one of them.
“We are so thrilled someone was present for the win and at the same time we could benefit a great charity,” said Katie Bowman Coleman, owner of the dealership.
Curlee purchased four tickets for the drawing, along with a fifth bought online on the day of the drawing at the last minute.
The Auburn Hills resident was shocked to win the car, and said he missed a gathering with friends to be present at the drawing.
‘Now they will understand why I did not show up,? he said. ‘I just can’t believe I won. I just can’t believe it.?
Curlee said he was in the market for a new car, and planned on trading in his old one for a Chevy Impala. According to Grace Center of Hope, he has been participating in the Charity Car raffle for the last few years, and is a big supporter of Grace Centers.
Megan Gillesby, special events coordinator for Grace Centers of Hope, said it was a special moment when one of the people who showed up won the car. Odds were she would have to call the lucky winner.
Facebookers responded excitedly to the news. Maryagnes VanKlaveren thanked Bowman for participating and said Clarkston is lucky to have the dealership.
Steve Showers congratulated Curlee and said he hoped to see him cruising on Woodward.
Gillesby thanked Bowman for their participation in the raffle and said it really helps this time of year because the giving is down in the summer.
Grace Centers of Hope, a shelter in Pontiac, helps people who are homeless for a variety of reasons from mental illness to drug and alcohol abuse.
The center, founded in 1942, has a campus-like setting providing shelter and programs to help the homeless rebuild their lives so they can re-enter society as productive and responsible citizens.
Gillesby said money raised will also help stock the food pantry at the center.
Each year, Bowman Chevrolet provides about five cars to raffle off for charitable causes. In addition to Grace Centers of Hope, Bowman sponsors SCAMP, Easter Seals, Clarkston Area Youth Assistance, as well as several other causes.
The next raffle, for a new Corvette for Easter Seals, is in September. Another convertible Camaro drawing is on Oct. 4 to benefit the Clarkston Lions Club.
Tickets are now being sold for both raffles. For more information visit www.bowmanchevy.com.