Our ‘Focus on the Good' Car Giveaway: One Year Follow-up
Last year, amid the height of our global pandemic, the team at Lange & Fetter Motors wanted to find a unique way to connect with our community while following the current quarantine guidelines. So what did we decide to do? Give away a free Ford car, of course!
During our Focus on the Good Campaign, folks from all across Quinte West nominated their friends and family who had fallen upon tough times to be gifted a gorgeous 2012 Ford Focus. Although we would have loved to give away cars to each deserving member of the community, we had the challenging task of selecting just one winner. During a surprise moment caught on camera, we told Staci Greveling that she would be receiving a free Ford Focus from Lange & Fetter - and as you can imagine, there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd!
You can read the full article about our Focus on the Good Campaign here, but in this article, we’re catching up with Staci one year later to learn how her new car has impacted her life. Read on to feel inspired by her story!
Staci’s Follow-up Interview
How has the vehicle changed your everyday life?
It has opened up so many possibilities for (my daughters) and me. If I didn’t have that vehicle, we wouldn’t have been able to go to Ottawa for a visit with my sister, or to the outdoor playgroups that we enjoy at local conservation areas outside of town. It’s just so much easier to get out and do things. I don’t even have to think about it because it’s just, “Oh yep, I have a vehicle! We can go off and we can do x, y, z.” It’s just so easy!
I’ve also been looking for a new job. You can feel trapped when you can’t just get up and go. but that’s not a concern anymore, and it’s opening up new work opportunities for me.
“When I tell people about winning the vehicle, they are amazed at the generosity from (Lange & Fetter). Everything is easier: daily life, visiting family and friends, everything. The freedom that this car has provided is amazing.”
Do the girls like the car?
They love it! With the two of them, I’ll be putting one in her car seat and the other one will jokingly sit on the driver’s seat and call it “driving my car.” For any of our bigger road trips, I can get the iPad and plug it in and they can watch movies plugged right into the speaker of the car. They hang out and I give them their snacks and they’re pretty happy. We all are.
How has it helped ease your everyday routines?
We no longer have to try and arrange rides, figure out scheduling, look into how long it’ll take to get somewhere on the bus, or what we need to bring to occupy the girls on the bus. In the car, we’re always just 5 - 15 minutes away from where we need to be. The new car has also made it easier to buy extra toys and clothes from Facebook Marketplace for the girls, which helps us financially.
When I was walking everywhere, I was always like, “Okay, today is diaper day. I can only get so many groceries because I will have a big box of diapers to carry. Then I’ll have to go back out tomorrow for the rest of our supplies.” Now? I just think, “Okay, what do I need? Let’s go get it!”
Trust Us: Go Ahead and Focus on the Good!
We were thrilled to catch up with Staci and learn about the impact her new Ford Focus has had on her family. Our Focus on the Good Campaign was a helpful reminder that hard times can happen to anyone and that we have a responsibility to help our fellow community members if we’re able. We are grateful to have met Staci and her lovely daughters and are excited for what the future holds for them. Thank you for taking the time to keep us updated on your post-car giveaway life, Staci!
