This year, the holiday gift-giving season took on a whole new level of excitement for Cheryl Hawkes.

Hawkes, a Kalamazoo resident who works as an administrative specialist for animal health company Zoetis, won this year’s United Way Sweepstakes. Hawkes 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 sixth year of the vehicle giveaway through a sweepstakes sponsored by United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region.

“I’m just so in shock,” said Hawkes. “This is such a great surprise. It’s a gift, and I’m just thankful for that.

“United Way is such a great organization,” she added. “They do so much for our community. We’ve given to United Way for so many years. I’m glad that we can be part of it.”

Hawkes, husband Dave and several co-workers gathered in front of the Zoetis building in downtown Kalamazoo on Wednesday with a new Chevrolet Traverse to celebrate her win. Hawkes said she has yet to decide what vehicle she will select.

According to President and CEO Chris Sargent, nearly 5,000 contributors qualified for this year’s sweepstakes drawing, representing almost $2 million in donations. 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 dozens of automobiles at 25 workplace locations across the region.

“Donors like the element of fun that the Sweepstakes adds. At the same time, it helps us generate crucial support for programs that are transforming lives,” said Sargent. “We congratulate Cheryl and thank her and all donors for helping change the story in our region.”

The 2017 Sweepstakes was generously supported by the following: Kellogg Community 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.