Toyota Raffle Drawing April 14

Toyota Raffle Drawing April 14.Limited tickets available for April 14 drawing

Photo by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News.

(ROCKWALL, TX – March 13, 2017) Toyota of Rockwall and The Genesis Center of Kaufman County ^[1] have teamed up to put one lucky raffle winner in the driver's seat of a completely restored 1994 Toyota Supra Twin Turbo. This sports car – the same model that was made famous in the movie, The Fast and the Furious – was generously donated to The Genesis Center by a local resident who is battling cancer.

One hundred percent of the funds raised through the raffle will benefit Genesis, the nonprofit faith-based shelter which provides refuge, counseling, job services, parenting classes, grief share, money management, medical referrals, spiritual mentoring and more to area women and children in crisis.

"The Supra was truly an answer to prayer," said Pastor Nancy Schoenle of The Genesis Center. "I had been asking God for something different, something unique to help us touch more lives – then God put it on this donor's heart to give his car to The Genesis Center."

Nancy lost her husband of 38 years to cancer last June, and explained that she was doing good just to put gas in her own car. "I thought God must have a sense of humor to give us such a race car. Only about 10,000 of this particular model were ever made," she said. "I called my friends at Toyota of Rockwall – and kudos to them because they are amazing. They led efforts to refurbish the car, giving it new leather seats, new paint, new tires, new tint – all at no charge."

The newly restored Supra is valued at well over $30,000.

"When Nancy came to me to discuss ways she could earn money to benefit Genesis, I knew we could help by showcasing the Supra in our showroom," said Barbara Jackson, who owns the Toyota dealership along with her husband, Steve.

Toyota partnered with five other vendors – ATD, Dean's Collision Center, All Star Wheel Repair, Brunner's Trim & Glass, and Prestige Hail Repair – and together they spent three weeks and more than $17,000 to refurbish the vehicle. "Then we gave it a full detail and got it ready for the showroom floor," said Charles Pankey, General Manager. "Roughly 150 service customers, and another 50 sales customers come through our showroom each day, so we knew we could bring a lot of attention to the cause."

Only 4,000 raffle tickets were printed and are available for $20 each, or six for $100, at Toyota of Rockwall, 1250 I-30 Frontage Road in Rockwall. You may also go by The Genesis Center, 2675 N. State Highway 34 in Kaufman, or call 972-932-4351. In Mesquite, tickets are available at Danny's Car Care, 2933 Motley Drive, 972-270-4541; and in Garland/Dallas, contact Steve Jones at 817-600-0550.

The public is encouraged to attend the drawing, which will be 7 p.m. Friday, April 14 at Toyota – but you need not be present to win.

"What I like most is that this was a dream that began in Nancy's heart, but it has become a community effort," said Barbara. "It feels good to do the right thing. It's an honor for us. The drawing will be a very exciting night with fellowship and refreshments before the donor family draws the winning raffle ticket."

Nancy added, "This is a win-win for all of us in the community. As a Christ-centered nonprofit, Genesis does not take any government funding. We are not tied to any one particular denomination; we work with all different churches. Our small staff and numerous volunteers are devoted to rebuilding and transforming lives that are truly broken. We know we cannot change anybody, but God sure can. About 125 people come through here and give their life to Christ each year. This Supra raffle will help us provide more opportunities for people in crisis to better their lives."

Sponsored story by Dawn Redig, Blue Ribbon News.