What Thomas Lees thought was a work-related service call wound up being a life-changing experience.
On Monday afternoon, Dec. 17, as Lees was wandering around the back of Braby Motors looking for an electrical problem that wasn鈥檛 there, a crowd was gathering in the show room, waiting for Thomas鈥 wife Nikki, his daughter Anna and baby son Tom to arrive. The reason for this ruse 鈥 the Lees were the chosen recipients of a fully refurbished 2012 Dodge Caravan in the Shuswap Christmas Car Giveaway, sponsored by Braby Motors, Kal Tire, Fix Auto and SASCU.
When at last the Lees family was united in the showroom, they were greeted with applause and the unexpected happy news.
鈥淭his is all for you,鈥 said Justin Braby to the speechless couple. 鈥淵our friend nominated you and there were a lot of people that we had to choose from, but you guys were the ones that won.鈥
The Lees had been nominated for the giveaway by friend Sarah Hasselaar.
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Each of the sponsors contributed to the refurbishing of the van, which included gas cards and a year鈥檚 insurance. Braby鈥檚 family even threw in a new kid鈥檚 car seat, while SASCU staff donated $270.
鈥淎 life changing situation just happened鈥,鈥 explained an overwhelmed Thomas and Nikki.
More than 100 entries were submitted for the giveaway, each with a difficult story, making for some difficult choices, explained Fix Auto general manager Derick Miller, who came up with idea of the giveaway with SASCU Insurance general manager Janice Giesbrecht.
鈥淚t鈥檚 something that Fix Auto has done in other communities and when Janice suggested we do it here, I was thrilled,鈥 said Miller, who had no problem getting the other partnering businesses onboard.
In her entry, Hasselaar explained Thomas found himself unemployed just before the recent arrival of Tom Jr.
鈥淣ow he is juggling three jobs and rides from friends to make ends meet for his growing family, and is doing his best to pursue an apprenticeship鈥,鈥 explained Hasselaar. 鈥淭he young family contributes to this community through volunteerism and spreading their positivity with friends and strangers alike. No matter what challenges they face, Tom and Nikki keep on smiling.鈥
Tom was indeed all smiles with the way his work day turned out.
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鈥淚t was my favourite kind of work,鈥 said Thomas, of the ruse. 鈥淚鈥檓 speechless, I don鈥檛 know what to say. I鈥檓 sure there鈥檚, out of the hundreds of families that were drawn in this, I鈥檓 sure there were ones more deserving than us and I鈥檓 honoured for us to be chosen.鈥
Each of the participating partners were just as pleased by the experience, being able to be there for a family in need.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been an amazing experience to be part of something so meaningful for a family that truly deserves this,鈥 said Braby.
鈥淚t鈥檚 especially nice that we could bring this boost to them at this time of year,鈥 said Kal Tire manager Justin Myhre.
鈥淭he hard work the Lees are putting into building a stronger future is really touching. This vehicle will help them move forward,鈥 commented Giesbrecht.
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