Before today, Jessica Parnaby would have told you she’d never won anything in her life. She can’t say that anymore; on Wednesday, Parnaby learned that she is this year’s United Way Sweepstakes automobile winner.

“I’m completely shocked,” said Parnaby as her Stryker coworkers cheered the announcement. “I did not expect this.”

Parnaby, a ProCare Coordinator with Stryker’s medical business, was chosen at random from thousands of qualified donors in this year’s United Way campaign to win a new vehicle up to a value of $28,000. This is the eighth year of the vehicle giveaway through the sweepstakes sponsored by United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region (UWBCKR). Stryker has long been a strong supporter and partner in United Way’s work.

Told that a Stryker employee had won the sweepstakes, Parnaby joined a group of her colleagues in the parking lot on Centre Avenue, standing near two demo cars from DeNooyer Chevrolet and DeNooyer Ford, to hear the announcement from UWBCKR President and CEO Chris Sargent. She was stunned when her name was called.

“I just walked outside thinking I was going to watch someone win a car. Didn’t think it would be me,” Parnaby said.

According to Sargent, 7,266 contributors qualified for this year’s Sweepstakes drawing, representing $2,396,898 in support for United Way. Donors were automatically entered if they gave an undesignated gift of $50 or more.

“The United Way Sweepstakes brings a bit of fun and an incentive to generate crucial support for United Way. That support drives programs that are transforming lives in meaningful, lasting ways,” said Sargent. “We congratulate Jessica and thank her and all donors for helping change the story in our region.”

The 2019 Sweepstakes was generously supported by the following sponsors: Kellogg Community Credit Union, DeNooyer Chevrolet, DeNooyer Ford, Henkel Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Heritage Chevrolet, Metro Toyota, Orrin B. Hayes Inc., Seelye Kia of Battle Creek, Seelye of Kalamazoo, Sunshine Toyota, and Kellogg Company.