By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
Cathy Sharpe was so caught up in the Rowan United Way fundraising campaign that she completely forgot about the car giveaway.
Each week during the campaign report meeting, two names are drawn to be in the running for a new car. On Wednesday Sharpe, who works at Food Lion, was picked, and hers is one of eight names chosen so far.
Jim Knutson, who works at Maxson Furniture, also had his name drawn this week.
“I was excited to hear. I had actually forgotten about the car giveaway,” Sharpe said.
Her husband, Daniel, was excited for her. The couple’s three children ó 9-month-old twin boys and a 2-year-old son ó are a tad young to understand what’s going on, she said.
The Sharpes haven’t quite decided what they will do if Cathy wins the car.
“We actually have a family member in need of one,” she said.
Sharpe participates in the fundraiser each year.
“I think the United Way is a great agency. I know they are still short on their goal. I would like everyone to remember the campaign is still going on,” Sharpe said.
Jim Knutson has contributed to the campaign for the past 10 years.
Knutson said he didn’t contribute to the campaign to get a car, but it is nice to be in the running.
“I think it’s a great benefit. It’s a nice bonus in helping out the United Way,” he said.
The idea of winning a car hadn’t even occurred to Knutson.
“I have not even thought about it. I have no idea,” he said of what he’ll do if he wins the car.
Knutson said a couple of his family’s cars have lived their “purposeful life.”
People should give to the campaign, he said, “because the activities and organizations they support really help the local community.”
He urges people to continue to support the United Way, just as he has done.
“Anything we can do to help is something we should all try to do,” Knutson said.
Four local car dealerships team up to provide a car to the winner. Those dealership are Ben Mynatt Nissan, Cloninger Ford-Toyota, Gerry Wood Automotive and Team Chevrolet.
At the end of the campaign, all 12 finalists will be whittled down to one winner. That person will draw the name of a car dealership from which to choose a car.