By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY ó Joyce Sifford Ervin has been driving the 1997 Toyota she bought for her son when he turned 16 seven years ago and is excited she could win a new car.
Ervinís name was drawn at last weekís Rowan United Way campaign meeting along with two other finalist who are in the running to win a car.
ěI was excited about it,î she said when she found out.
Her son drove the car to Appalachian State University, and when Ervin got it back, it had more than 170,000 miles on it.
ěMy brother James keeps telling me that nothing lasts forever. A new car would be nice,î she said.
Ervin estimates sheís been giving to the United Way for about 25 years. She has been giving through the Rowan Public Library for the last five years and before that through AT&T for 20 years.
ěI feel good that Iím able to help somebody through my contribution,î Ervin said.
She said the United Way is a worthwhile cause that ěhelps so many people, and today so many people do need help.î
Ervinís co-workers are also excited about the possibility of her winning a new car.
ěIím the first from the library that has been selected,î she said.
When she was told her name was drawn, Ervin didnít know library director Jeff Hall knew. She made her way up to his office to share the news with him and he was on his way downstairs to congratulate Ervin.
ěWe met on the steps. He was excited, too,î she said.
Roxanne Maddry is just pleased her name was drawn.
ěI feel really blessed that my name was even in the drawing. Iím excited,î she said.
Maddry found out from the human resources director at F&M Bank, where she works.
Sheís been giving to the United Way for about 20 years.
ěItís all about giving back to the community,î Maddry said.
She said F&M and its president have always encouraged giving.
Possibly winning a car is just a reward of giving, Maddry said.
ěI look at it as a benefit of giving. Itís in the Lordís hands,î she said.
Maddry is a single mom with a teenage son who will be driving soon.
ěHe will not be getting a new car,î she said.
Maddry said sheíd prefer him to have an older car for his first car.
Pam Forrest found out her name was drawn while out of town. She was in the car and her daughter, who lives in Raleigh, called her the day after her name was drawn. Her daughterís mother-in-law, who lives in Davie County, saw Forrestís name in the Post online.
Forrest had not looked at the paper.
ěI had to see it for myself. I pulled the paper out and there it was, there was my name,î she said.
Forrest, who works at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, never thought her name would be called.
Sheís been giving for 15 years.
ěTypically my husband and I are givers anyway. We donít give it a second thought. I particularly have a heart for Meals on Wheels, a service used by my grandmother,î she said.
Forrest encourages others to give because ěnone of us know when we may be in need of the United Way services. Itís a good thing to give back to the community.î
Four local vehicle dealers are participating ó Ben Mynatt Nissan, Gerry Wood Auto Group, Team Chevrolet and Cloninger Ford/Toyota. The winner will select a vehicle from one of the dealers.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.