CHESAPEAKE, Va. - Susan Porter said she thought it was a prank at first, but as it turned out she was truly the car giveaway winner from this year's St. Jude Dream Home giveaway.
Her name was selected for the “bonus prize,” which was a brand new green Nissan Rogue.
She and her husband came to Banister Nissan to pick up her prize and she was greeted by the dealer’s staff and Dan Banister, the owner of Banister Nissan.
“I won a car,” Porter exclaimed with delight. Even under her face mask the look of joy was transparent.
Porter said she and her husband did not watch the drawing live, but were on their way to pick up her husband’s car that was getting repaired when she got the news. At first she thought someone pranked her until reality set in. Porter added that the win came at the perfect time.
Photos were taken of her by the green Nissan Rogue. She added Nissan vehicles are her and her husband’s choice when going on road trips.
"My family is in Texas,” Porter said. “When we rent, it's always a Nissan and we always pick out a Nissan to rent. This is really exciting."
This is Banister Nissan’s fifth year being part of the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway and Banister said they have helped raise over $5 million for St. Jude in that time.
“I can't think of a better thing that a business can do to support a community,” Banister said. “St. Jude is one of the finest non-profit organizations to support."
Porter said she will continue to purchase tickets each year to support St. Jude. As for their first road trip in their new car, Porter said it will be to Texas.
The home giveaway drawing was August 23 and a Virginia Beach school teacher won the house.
The giveaway is an annual campaign where money is raised through the sale of tickets, each one costing $100.
The ticket covers the cost of the prizes, and helps to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in finding cures for children battling cancer and other illnesses.
