EPCH Foundation Gives BMW To Raffle Winner


Claire Ellis, an employee at University Medical Center of El Paso bought a single raffle ticket for the BMW of El Paso "Makes a Difference" Raffle held on December 13th at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.

Her vehicle, a 14-year old Jeep Cherokee she drove because she was putting her daughters through nursing school who also work at UMC.

 

 

On the evening of the raffle, Claire was one of 10 raffle ticket holders competitively vying for a win in the reverse raffle format. Slowly the numbers started to be called and Claire found herself still standing! Finally, near the end, it was between her and another person. Someone from the crowd made an offer to buy the two remaining numbers for $14,000! Claire refused and said, "No thank you! I want that car!" you can see the video of the raffle night by clicking here.

Claire's was the winning number. She became the winner of the brand new 2018 BMW 320! The funds raised from the raffle will benefit both El Paso Children’s Hospital and University Medical Center of El Paso.

“I texted my family that I was in the top ten," she said, "and then I texted them that I was in the last five. And I stopped texting them," said Claire. So I came home and everyone was already asleep. So I woke them up and told them the good news! They couldn’t believe it; very exciting.”

Money raised specifically benefits the Foundation Volunteer Corps for both University Medical Center of El Paso Foundation and El Paso Children’s Foundation.

“With these funds we can have a Volunteer Congress," states Carolyn Williams, Volunteer Corps Program Manager. Volunteer Congress gives departments from University Medical Center and El Paso Children's Hospital the opportunity to request a grant for equipment, tools and resources that will positively impact the children and adults admitted to the hospitals. “Now thanks to everyone who participated in this fund raiser," replies Carolyn, "we will be able to offer those grants to the hospitals and able to impact patients and families in our community."