Susan Schoder got quite a holiday surprise when she was called to the front entrance of Denso Manufacturing Michigan: She was the winner of a new car.

Schoder, a Battle Creek resident and a 25-year employee at Denso, was chosen at random from thousands of qualified donors in this year’s United Way campaign to win a new automobile up to a value of $30,000. This is the fourth year of vehicle giveaway through United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region (UWBCKR).

“I can’t believe it. I’m awestruck,” Schoder kept repeating as dozens of coworkers congratulated her amidst a collection of new vehicles parked at the Denso facility. The vehicles came from Lakeview Ford, Henkel Automotive Group, Heritage Chevrolet and Sunshine Toyota.

“United Way is such a wonderful opportunity to help out people in our community,” said Schoder. “This is just amazing.”

So what’s next for Schoder? “Probably test drive some stuff,” she said, grinning.

Andris Staltmanis, president of Denso Manufacturing Michigan, said Schoder’s win added excitement in the wake of the site’s successful United Way campaign. One of the top corporate supporters, Denso saw its workplace campaign grow this year, with 336 new donors and a total of $341,408 in pledges, an increase of more than $50,000 over 2014.

According to UWBCKR President and CEO Mike Larson, 7,891 contributors qualified for this year’s drawing, representing $975,401. Donors were automatically entered if they were first-time givers of at least $50 in undesignated funds or gave an undesignated gift at least $25 above their previous year’s donation. During this year’s regional campaign, UWBCKR and participating dealers displayed 49 automobiles at 36 workplace locations.

“The Sweepstakes is a fun way to get people engaged in the campaign,” said Larson. “More important, it helps generate critical resources that United Way applies to the greatest needs in education, income and health across our regional community.”

 

The 2015 Sweepstakes was generously supported by the following: Kellogg Community Federal Credit Union, Cole Automotive Group, DeNooyer Chevrolet, Orrin B. Hayes Inc., Metro Imports, Seelye Auto Group, Lakeview Ford, Henkel Automotive Group, Heritage Chevrolet, Harold Zeigler Automotive Group and Sunshine Toyota.