LUMBERTON — With a fundraising goal of $580,000, the United Way of Robeson County is hoping more people will give their “fair share” and earn a chance to win a new car.
The Fair Share Giver Car Giveaway asks people to donate an hour’s pay each month for 12 months to qualify for the contest, which is sponsored by five car dealerships.
“It’s very vital because this is our annual campaign. This is how we support the 70-plus programs we have partnered with us,” said Latricia Freeman, executive director of the United Way of Robeson County.
United Way does a pre-allocation, she said, which means it commits to giving a certain amount of money to an agency before the money is actually raised.
“If we didn’t have the funds to provide to the agency services, it would hurt services for individuals in our county,” Freeman said. “You’re talking about people who get Meals on Wheels, people who need a wheelchair ramp. Just say (Hurricane) Matthew came and we needed help from the Red Cross.”
Last year, United Way helped nearly 86,000 people in Robeson County, Freeman said.
The first of 10 drawings for the giveaway was held Tuesday when Jeff Prince, owner of Fair Bluff Ford, drew names of the first two finalists — Jacob Keith Sanchez with the Lumberton Fire Department and Charles Bullard of Piedmont Natural Gas.
Subsequent drawings will be held at the dealerships on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. At the final drawing on Jan. 19, the winner will drive home in either a Ford Fiesta from Fair Bluff Ford, a Chevrolet Spark from Lumberton Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac, a Honda Fit from Lumberton Honda, a Kia Rio from Lumberton Kia Mazda, or a Toyota Yaris from Peterson Toyota and Scion.
The Robesonian will publish the names of the finalists on Sunday’s in advertising space donated to United Way.
Currently, there are 524 people eligible for the car giveaway, but others can donate and become eligible. For information on how to do so, go to www.unitedwayrobeson.org, call 910-739-4249, or stop by the office at 2512-A Fayetteville Road, Lumberton.
The United Way has extended the deadline to purchase advance tickets for the Lip Sync Battle until Monday. The Oct. 20 show will feature local people lip syncing popular songs. There are three ways to purchase tickets for the event.
