Here’s how you can enter to win a Chevy Blazer and support the Lake County YMCA
By Patricia Nugent
Put yourself in the driver’s seat of a loaded Chevy Blazer and keep your charitable dollars here in your hometown, with the 2020 Lake County YMCA Dream Car Fundraiser.
This online fundraiser takes the place of the annual Dream House—the Y’s biggest money-raiser of the year—which was cancelled last month due to Covid-19.
“The safety of our staff, volunteers, members and donors comes first,” says Kelly Penzenik, director of marketing and communications for the Lake County YMCA. “Although we would have loved to open a Dream House in 2020, it’s in the best interest of all that we come back in 2021 with our best Dream House yet.”
The Chevy Network of Dealers and Classic Chevrolet Mentor have been extremely generous, longtime friends of the Lake County YMCA, and for 2020 this is no different. The group stepped up when the Dream House was cancelled and announced it would still donate the amazing 2020 Chevy Blazer to help raise critical dollars needed to support the community.
The YMCA is hopeful to raise $250,000 through the Dream Car Fundraiser. All proceeds will go right back into supporting Lake County’s most vulnerable residents. No one is ever turned away from Y membership or programming because of an inability to pay.
“Our need is greater than ever,” says Lake County YMCA CEO Dick Bennett.
“We value the generosity of The Chevy Network of Dealers and Classic Chevrolet during this time of crisis. These two organizations have supported us for many years and truly understand the impact we make together in the communities we serve. We are so appreciative.”
John McCurdy of Classic Chevrolet of Mentor says partnering with the Y over the past seven years has been a natural fit with their mission.
“One of the things we love about the YMCA is that it gives us the opportunity to spend our charitable dollars on our local neighbors and families here in Lake County,” says John.
One Sweet Ride
“The Blazer is one of our hottest selling crossover SUVs,” says John. “It’s the perfect blend of safety and sporty, with the assertiveness of a Camaro and the utility of an Equinox. And there are so many high-tech features as well. It’s a perfect fit for modern families.”
Valued at $39,000, the Blazer features:
- More than 64 cubic feet of cargo space, second row seats fold flat
- A 230-horsepower turbo engine for fuel economy
- Ultra-thin LED daytime running lights
- A five-year, 60,000-mile warranty on transmission
- 18-inch bright silver aluminum wheels
- Anti-lock brakes and an all-wheel drive system
- Blind zone alerts in the heated side mirrors
- Hands-free rear liftgate
- HD rear vision camera, rear park sensors, rear cross traffic alert
- EZ Key entry system and automatic start button
- My Chevrolet mobile app allows start from your phone
- Connected phone displays through an eight-inch touchscreen
- OnStar monitoring system
“What a beautiful SUV,” says Dick. “Each year, the vehicles have been progressively more impressive.”
Where Your Dollars are Going
“The Y is so much more than fitness centers and gyms, pools and locker rooms,” says Dick. “We are a cause. One of our challenges is to let people know that we are a charity. Through financial assistance, we even the playing field for everyone in the community, strengthening and protecting the spirits, minds and bodies of our friends and communities. On a daily basis, we’re changing lives.”
He points out that currently they are one of the few in the county to be able to offer safe and secure pandemic child care to families with parents on the frontlines battling the virus.
“Going forward, this summer we will offer day camp programs for around 500 kids, as well as water safety classes and a learning loss prevention program that identifies children who are at risk of not passing the third-grade reading proficiency test,” he says.
For now, with the pandemic, Dick mentions they have intentionally invigorated a robust online presence with online classes and programs and going forward will continue to do that.
“We want to stay connected with members to avoid social isolation,” he adds. “Over the past seven weeks, our employees have reached out to members via phone to make sure they are okay and see if they needed anything. But, of course, we cannot wait to see people come back to our branches face to face.”
The 2020 Lake County YMCA Dream Car Fundraiser runs through midnight on Sunday, July 5, ending with a semi-final drawing on Wednesday, July 8, and final drawing on Sunday, July 12. There is no cash option. Winner takes the car as is. All taxes are responsibility of the owner. Take a online tour of the Chevy Blazer, compliments of The Chevy Network of Dealers and Classic Chevrolet of Mentor, at LakeCountyYMCA.org/dreamcar. Proceeds from this fundraiser help the YMCA, one of the area’s largest nonprofits focused on engaging individuals and families in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.