7/23/2008 11:43:00 AM Man wins Mercedes Benz in church raffle Station wagon driver William Forbes ‘went into shock’ when he heard the news
Holy Roller: William Forbes is joined by Father Joseph Palubeski as the pair shows off his new ride, a Mercedes Benz B-200. Mr. Forbes won the car in a church raffle aimed at raising funds in order to pay for renovations to St. Theresa’s Cathedral. *Photo supplied
One man's prayers were answered recently, and he'll be trading in his station wagon for a sleak new Benz.
St. Theresa's Church in Hamilton put up a Mercedes Benz B-200 - a $78,000 car - as the top prize in their summer raffle scheme.
Freight forwarder William Forbes was made into a believer when he was named the winner of the high-end vehicle.
Mr. Forbes said he "couldn't believe it" when his name was drawn.
"The only other thing I have ever won before was a bottle of wine at a church raffle," he said.
"When I bought the tickets, I never expected I would win, I just wanted to help.
"When I found out I won I was blown over. I literally went into shock," he said.
Mr. Forbes currently drives an eight-year-old Mitsubishi station wagon.
The aim of the raffle, held on June 28, was to raise money for some "much needed" renovations to St. Theresa's Cathedral Hall.
The hall was built in 1982 and is in desperate need of new tiling, electrics, air-conditioning and windows.
Father Joseph Palubeski drew the winning ticket.
Co-chair for the St. Theresa's hall renovations funding committee, Joanne Judd, said the raffle was a "huge success."
"The community was very pleased it was as successful as it was," Ms Judd said. "Purchasing the car was a very big investment and having the support of the other parishes was vital to the success of the raffle."
The church sold about 1,300 tickets and netted $53,000 in profit, from the car raffle. This is the first of a series of fundraising efforts the church has organized. In the months to come there will be another raffle, a golf tournament and a concert in December.
"We couldn't be more pleased for Mr. Forbes," Ms Judd said. "He is a very deserving winner. He even helped to sell some of the tickets."
