Summer Free Ride winner youngest in contest’s history

The teen, who is heading into Gr. 12 at Carlton Comprehensive Public High School this fall entered the contest at one of the 66 live-on-location radio events that took place throughout the summer. Retail sales supervisor for 101.5 Beach Radio, Jocelyn Bovay said there were more than 12,000 entries.

“The contest gets us out into the community and we get to highlight community events and new businesses that people might not know about or maybe an established business might be having a customer appreciation event going on,” said Bovay. “The community loves it, and we love to be there.”

From all the entries, 101 names were drawn. Those people, including Gibson, gathered at Little Red River Park Saturday afternoon. If a finalist’s name was called at the park, they had the chance to pick a key that could win them the Free Ride. Just over a third of the keys had been gone through before her name was called.

Contestants tried their luck at opening a box containing keys to the Summer Free Ride prize vehicle.(Teena Monteleone/paNOW)

While the random win came as a shock to Gibson, some may also consider it a bit of good karma for the teenager.

“I grew up listening to local radio and I always loved you guys and when we were little, my Mom was like ‘let’s go drop off cookies at the Give a Little Life Day radiothon fundraiser for the hospital’ and I was like ‘okay’ and then it just became a tradition where we’d drop off cookies and make a donation every year.”

Gibson drove away in a new-to-her 2012 Nissan Murano featuring new rims and tires, glass, remote starter, custom sports rack and updated sound system. The vehicle was provided by Westview Steering & Brake which also did the mechanical work. R&W Custom Collision did the paint and body work while TR Spring & Align added the hitch, a bike rack and WeatherTech mats. Fresh Air Experience also donated a mountain bike. Gibson also took home a Traegar Ironwood 650 pellet grill donated by Rona and a $500 meat package from ParklandMeats.

“I’m excited about the meat package and the smoker too. That’s gonna be my Dad’s thing,” Gibson said.

Other sponsors who made the free ride contest possible include: Ben’s Auto and House Glass, Fabricland, PA Soundworks, TEK Auto Repair, Lake Country Co-op, Affinity Insurance, Wicks Detailing, Evergreen Nissan, Knotty Pine Bistro, PA Wand Wash, Markit Signs and Napa Auto Parts.

Bovay said work has already begun on next year’s Summer Free Ride vehicle.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

by Teena Monteleone

Summer Free Ride winner youngest in contest’s history

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