I don’t know about y’all, but $1,000 in cash sure would come in handy right about now. Thankfully, you’ll have a chance to put just that in your wallet starting this weekend.
That’s because our friends at Lifetime Kia, 4170 U.S. 64 W. in Murphy, are holding a “$1,000-a-Week Giveaway” for the rest of the year. The first drawing is set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the dealership, which is just up the four-lane highway about 4 miles from downtown. All you have to do is come by and register in advance, then show up at giveaway time and cross your fingers.
The Cherokee Scout and WCNG radio are proud to be co-sponsors of this special giveaway event.
Dean Bello, general manager of Lifetime Kia, has been thinking about doing something special to give back to the community that has supported the dealership since it expanded into Cherokee County from Blue Ridge, Ga., in 2002. He ultimately decided that nothing beats the bang of a buck.
“This is our gift to the community to give back and say thanks for all the years we’ve been in business,” said the energetic Bello, who is always a fun conversation.
When Bello decided to take some money from his advertising budget and give it directly to local residents and visitors, it was easy to green-light the Scout’s involvement. Cherokee County businesses are some of the most generous I’ve come across in more than three decades of working as a journalist, and giving back to the community is a big part of what we do as your local newspaper, so it’s a natural fit. We’re happy to help make this happen.
In case you don’t think there’s any way you’ll win, think again. Several years ago, Lifetime Kia gave away a new car. The winner ended up being a disabled person who had thrown his registration away, but thankfully his girlfriend pulled it out of the trash and entered it in the contest.
In a repudiation of Murphy’s Law, that entry form was the winner, and those four wheels have been put to a lot of good use. And since no purchase is necessary to win, there’s really no reason for anyone not to enter.
While N.C. Works reports that there are 230 job openings in Cherokee County that need to be filled, some people don’t have the education or experience to qualify for those positions. Others have made mistakes in their past that continue to hurt their ability to take care of their families. Local real estate is coming back in a big way, but not everyone is in a position to take advantage of that, as entry-level housing remains a concern.
So despite an improving economy, the up to $15,000 that Lifetime Kia is investing in the community this year is needed and will be most appreciated. Too many local residents are having to work two jobs just to make ends meet, and this economic boost will work wonders.
This could be one of the best Christmases ever, but only if you register and show up at 3 every Saturday afternoon. Don’t be like the fellow who almost tossed a new car in the trash; your luck might be about the change.
David Brown is publisher of the Cherokee Scout. You can reach him by phone, 837-5122; fax, 837-5832; email, dbrown@cherokeescout.com; or message him on Twitter @daviddBstroh.