On January 25th, 2009 C David Rutherford Jr. of Monticello Georgia was presented with the keys to two spectacular Corvettes valued at a quarter-of-a million dollars.
Mr. Rutherford, a disabled construction worker, purchased just 5 tickets for $10 as a means of helping children, never expecting to win.
This sweepstakes was a project to benefit Kids Wish Network’s (KWN) Hero of the Month program in pediatric hospitals nationwide. Both Corvettes were awarded to Mr. Rutherford at Summit Racing’s flagship store in McDonough, Ga.
The grand prize consisted of a pair of matching red Corvette convertibles presented to one lucky winner “Tax-Free”: a rare and collectible 1967 427 and a new 2008 Lingenfelter 570 horsepower one-of-a-kind super car. To say the Grand Prize winner was awed by the experience would be an understatement. Mr. Rutherford expressed that it would take some additional time for his incredible good fortune to sink in.
Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (LPE) and Summit Racing participated as sponsors. Nathan Sheets, Marketing Manager of LPE presented the keys to the new Lingenfelter Corvette and informed Mr. Rutherford of this unique tribute to their founder, mentor and friend John Lingenfelter, a well known racer and engineer. Unfortunately, Mr. Lingenfelter passed away on Christmas day in 2003 as a result of injuries sustained in an NHRA racing accident. This one-of-a-kind Corvette was sponsored and signed by the entire LPE team.
Shelley Breiner, Executive Director and Mark Breiner, President of KWN, introduced David Rutherford, Jr. and presented him with the keys to the classic 1967 427 Corvette. Shelley Breiner introduced Natalie, one of KWN’s wish children who has a serious heart condition and loves watching NASCAR. Natalie had recently been granted her wish to meet Dale Earnhardt, Jr. KWN arranged to have Natalie and her family attend the presentation and be a part of this special day for Mr. Rutherford.
Shelley Breiner stated, ” The proceeds from the 2008 Corvette Dream Giveaway will fund the Hero program in 100 pediatric hospitals nationwide and will provide the funds to launch the 2009 Corvette Dream Giveaway”