Posted on Behalf of Rick Chambers, Rick Chambers & Associates 

When we last checked in with Matt Stinson, he was tooling around the ice at Wings Stadium in a new car, celebrating his win in the 2013 United Way Sweepstakes. 

Six weeks later, he handed the keys over to his parents. And therein lies a tale of a family that cares.

The story begins with Matt’s brother, Aaron, a musician who relies on his van to move gear between gigs. When the van broke down recently, he had to turn to his parents Margie and Ed Stinson’s minivan for transportation.

Meanwhile, now that they’re empty nesters, the Stinsons were looking to give up their minivan. Offering it to Aaron made sense. So the Stinsons started shopping for a new car. At the same time, Margie increased her United Way gift to automatically enter the Sweepstakes. While she didn’t win, both parents were thrilled when Matt did.

Then there’s Matt, who spent the holidays looking at several top-notch vehicles available through the 11 auto dealerships that sponsored the Sweepstakes. While he liked many of them, they didn’t elicit the same excitement as did the car he already owned.

And that’s when he had an idea: What if he chose a car for his parents instead?

Ed works in the finance sector, and he quickly worked out an equitable solution. Aaron got the reliable family van, Margie and Ed got a new vehicle, and Matt received a fair price from his parents that allows him to pay off his current car and start saving for a future home.

Matt was on hand when his folks took delivery of a 2014 Honda Odyssey from Zeigler Auto Group in Kalamazoo.

“It’s a great outcome for everyone,” Matt said. “I was happy to help out my family while helping out the community through United Way.”

Some 7,754 people were automatically entered in this year’s United Way Sweepstakes by giving a new or increased undesignated contribution of $50 or more to the campaign. The popular incentive was funded entirely by Kellogg Community Federal Credit Union, DeNooyer Chevrolet, Heritage Chevrolet, Cole Nissan Cadillac GMC Buick, Henkel Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Orrin B. Hayes, Lassen Automotive, Metro Toyota, Zeigler Kalamazoo, Lakeview Ford Lincoln, Seelye Wright Automotive Group and Sunshine Toyota.