Whirlpool Corporation’s Michael Lafrenz starts engine, wins United Way’s Car Challenge
Start your engines. Those were the three words that nine finalists heard on Tuesday evening during United Way of Southwest Michigan’s third annual Car Challenge at Tyler Automotive in Stevensville. Unlike a Nascar or Formula One race, however, only one car in Tyler’s showroom would start. And that car belonged to Michael Lafrenz.
Lafrenz, a Whirlpool Corporation employee, was the lucky winner of a two-year lease on a sub-compact vehicle from Tyler. “I can’t believe it. I’m shocked,” said Lafrenz, seconds after winning the challenge. Lafrenz has been donating to United Way since 1995, and United Way was thrilled that a long-time supporter was the winner.
To help incentivize last year’s campaign, United Way of Southwest Michigan partnered with Tyler for a third straight year to provide a Car Challenge. Donors who gave $156 (or $3 per week) were automatically entered into a drawing to be eligible. The finalist names were drawn and announced on February 6 on a Facebook Livestream through United Way’s Facebook page.
Anna Murphy, President of United Way of Southwest Michigan, said, “We congratulate Michael Lafrenz on winning the car. And we thank Chris Tyler and his team at Tyler Automotive for putting on this fun event again this year. There were 8,200 entries in the drawing. That’s an incredible amount of support from our community, which we really appreciate.”
A gift of $3 a week for a year has a big impact! It provides one of the following:
· 34 meals for someone dealing with food insecurity.
· 2 months of support to help a young child learn to read.
· 1 free book for a child every month for 5 years.
· School supplies for 8 kids to start the school year.
· Support for 2 individuals to address their mental health.
· 1 year of a physical activity/nutrition program for a school-age youth.
United Way of Southwest Michigan is thankful to all who donated last year for helping to make the campaign a big success and to Tyler Automotive for its generous support.
ABOUT UNITED WAY
United Way of Southwest Michigan fights for the Health, Education, and Financial Stability of every person in every community. We have the influence and relationships to make sustainable change a reality. By harnessing resources from corporate, nonprofit, and public partners, we provide immediate assistance to our most vulnerable populations while addressing the root causes of our community's longstanding challenges and changing lives for the better. To join the fight—through giving, advocacy, and volunteering—visit www.uwsm.org.
