Alfredo Garcia of Bakersfield, CA was the winner of the 2018 World Ag Expo® Toyota Tundra Giveaway. The giveaway benefits Valley Children's Hospital of Madera, CA.
Garcia, a 15-year attendee of World Ag Expo®, bought two tickets for $5 each on Thursday and was shocked to learn he had won a Toyota Tundra when one of the tickets was drawn. Garcia entered the contest "just to see if he could win." He picked up his red four-door Tundra at Visalia Toyota on Tuesday, February 27.
"The giveaway is a fun way to interact with attendees. To have the ticket proceeds benefit Valley Children's Hospital makes it even better," said Jerry Sinift, International Agri-Center CEO. "We're lucky to partner with Toyota to give away a Tundra every year!"
The annual contest is a partnership of World Ag Expo® and Toyota, with the Guilds of Valley Children's Hospital selling tickets to benefit the hospital. This year's ticket sales totaled more than $82,000 - an increase over the 2017 total of $63,000.
"It is truly an honor for the Guilds to partner with World Ag Expo and be the beneficiaries of the Toyota Tundra Giveaway. All proceeds go directly to the hospital and benefit the patients and families of Valley Children's," shared Sandy Cetti, Guild Manager. "This fundraising event is a true gift of love as our Guild members give their time and energy."
The annual drawing is held at the Toyota booth at 3:00 pm on the Thursday of World Ag Expo®. 2019 giveaway tickets go on sale starting Fall 2018.
The International Agri-Center is home to World Ag Expo®, February 12-14, 2019 in Tulare, California. An estimated annual average of 100,000 individuals from 70 countries attend World Ag Expo® each year. The largest annual agricultural show of its kind, World Ag Expo® hosts 1,500 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of show grounds.
The Guilds of Valley Children's Hospital have been raising funds since 1949, having raised over $29.5 million. The Guilds remain dedicated to their long-standing mission of raising funds, advocating for children and promoting goodwill for Valley Children's Hospital and their objectives of raising financial support and developing ongoing community support. It was through the fundraising efforts of the original Guilds that Valley Children's Hospital was constructed on donated land. The goal is to bring quality pediatric healthcare either 30 minutes or 30 miles of every child in the Valley. In addition to the main campus in Madera, there are now Specialty Care Centers in Bakersfield, Modesto and Visalia.
