2020 Wish List Winner Donates Prize to Food Pantry
Winner of the 2020 Wish List Giveaway Gives $500 Prize to Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry!
Every year during the holidays, Blain’s Farm & Fleet invites its customers to create their Christmas Wish List on the Blain’s app, and one lucky winner wins the value of their list, up to $500! Customers who create a Wish List during the designated time-frame are automatically entered into the giveaway. This year, a sixth grade science teacher named Jennifer Johnson won the contest and used the winnings as an opportunity to give back to her local community. Mrs. Johnson called upon her students to help create a list of items to benefit the Geneseo Middle School toy drive, held this year to support the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry and local Illinois families throughout Geneseo, Colona, Atkinson, Prophetstown, Erie, Cambridge, Osco, Cleveland, and Galva.
Mrs. Johnson’s wish list was chosen randomly from hundreds of entries throughout IL, WI, MI, and IA. She donated the entire $500 value to the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry, and she couldn’t be more pleased to be able to do it.
“I’m thrilled to have won this year’s wish list and have the opportunity to spread some Christmas cheer to local children,” says Mrs Johnson. “Because of this difficult year, the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry toy drive was almost canceled. However, with some good luck and the help of Blain’s Farm & Fleet, we have been able to make this holiday special for more children.”
Jane Blain Gilbertson, President and Owner of Blain’s Farm & Fleet is also happy with this turn of events. “We’re delighted that this year’s winner is a selfless person, committed to bettering the lives of her students and local families,” says Jane Blain Gilbertson. “We applaud all that Mrs. Johnson is doing to spread the holiday cheer in her own community at a much-needed time.”
Blain’s Farm & Fleet also takes pride in giving back to local communities throughout the year and especially during the holiday season. Every year, Blain’s sponsors the Kids Helping Kids Toy Drive which encourages people to donate a new, unwrapped toy at their local store. Blain’s then matches these donations with up to $200,000 in toys given each year. Additionally, Blain’s annual Toyland tradition was created because founder Bert Blain felt every child deserved to have a Merry Christmas. It’s amazing to see others, like Mrs, Johnson, feel the same way!
Although the Geneseo Middle School toy drive has ended, Blain’s Farm & Fleet encourages others to continue the momentum Mrs. Johnson has begun by donating non-perishable items to the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry.
