Fresno Nurse Describes 2012 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway Winning Experience
FRESNO, CA – Fresnan Brenda Lincoln had all her attention fixed on her TV Sunday, Nov. 11 when the prizes for the 2012 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway were being announced on KMPH FOX 26.
Lincoln had purchased a $100 raffle ticket at the insistance of her daughter, and hoped to win one of the program’s many prizes, like a year’s worth of free gas. When it came time to announce the winner of the Dream Home, Lincoln, who was wearing a baseball cap and sweatpants, began to chant her name over and over.
“When they drew my name and said ‘Brenda Lincoln’ I was just so stunned and shocked,” Lincoln said.
Once Lincoln changed clothes she went straight to view her prize, a $375,000 home built by De Young Properties, the builder and major donor of the Central Valley St. Jude Dream Home since 2007. She said she particularly likes the fact that the home, located in De Young Properties’ Chestnut Grove Community in Fresno, is a Net Zero EnergySmart home, which could mean the elimination of electric bills.
This year, all 10,000 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway raffle tickets were purchased, meaning $1,004,020 in donations for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To date, the program has helped raise $5,480,045 for the hospital, in order to aid in its mission to fight pediatric cancer.
“Our De Young team believes in our responsibility to help others and we are appreciative of everyone who contributed their hard-earned dollars to purchase a ticket. We feel privileged to be able to help such an important cause. In addition, we would like to thank our trade partners who donate their time, labor and resources to build a quality crafted home,” said Ashley De Young of De Young Properties. “I am inspired each year when our community comes together to show their support for St. Jude.”
Lincoln said she has received hundreds of e-mails and Facebook messages, congratulating her on her good fortune. Even though the taxes on the home are high, she and her husband are going to try to keep it.
She encouraged others in the community to buy tickets in future St. Jude Dream Home Giveaways.
“There’s nothing more heartwrenching than sick kids,” Lincoln said. “And so St. Jude just does such great work with them, that was definitely a motivation.”
Contact Associate Editor James Olinger about this article at James@BusinessStreetOnline.com.