It was a confusing start to the mornings from Kala Doneyhue in Penticton.
When it hit 10am on December 23rd, it all made sense as the Christmas surprise of a lifetime was revealed right before her eyes.
For the second time in as many years, Autohaus Huber Bannister in Penticton gave a free vehicle to a deserving person. This holiday season, the winning prize was a red 2010 Chevrolet Equinox.
And after receiving more than 50 nominations, Doneyhue was selected by a panel of five employees as the winner of the 2022 Christmas Car Giveaway.
“It always feels so good when you see someone so emotional in the best possible way, especially when they may be going through difficult times,” said Julian Smallbone, the dealership’s chief executive and the person responsible for telling the local mom hand over the keys to their new vehicle.
The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox was gifted by Huber Bannister in Penticton on December 23, 2022. (Logan Lockhart – Western News)
However, getting Doneyhue to the dealer on Friday morning wasn’t that easy.
Her close friend was hired to take her to the dealership without raising suspicions about the giveaway. At first she insisted on driving the single mother to work early in the morning.
Doneyhue, who often works seven days a week to care for loved ones, according to the panel, was guiltily reluctant to accept the offer but eventually obliged. An hour later she was presented with a vehicle.
A stunned Doneyhue watched as tears rolled down the faces of the dealership employees as Smallbone revealed the keys to the Equinox, drawing everyone’s attention to the dealership parking lot where their Christmas surprise awaited.
But not only the car dealership made the holiday dream come true. Huber Bannister customers donated fuel cards ahead of Friday’s return, and Maximum Insurance even included six months of free insurance.
Along with the vehicle, which is currently fitted with winter tires, the dealer is giving Doneyhue and her family a free turkey dinner this Christmas.
Along with the 2010 Equinox, Huber Bannister also provided the winner with a turkey dinner for the Chevrolet at Penticton. (Logan Lockhart – Western News)
“The really exciting thing about this year was that we had customers on board for the giveaway,” said Smallbone. “People wanted to contribute, and now she’s getting $200 fuel cards.”
Will Seguin, general manager of sales at Huber Bannister Chevrolet, thought of the car giveaway idea ahead of last year’s holiday season. Since then, the community has jumped on board and merchants are hoping the giveback will only grow over the years.”
“We want to see how we can scale this up and get even more people involved over the next year,” added Smallbone.
AutosCommunityPentictonvideo
