AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – Andre’a Lawrence’s face lit up after she pressed the ignition of a 2025 Chevrolet Trax in Greenwood Chevrolet’s showroom Wednesday evening.
Once the vehicle started, it signaled that Lawrence was this year’s winner of the Greenwood Chevrolet Extra Mile Giveaway, a partnership between the auto dealership and the two United Way chapters that serve Mahoning and Trumbull counties.
Lawrence, an employee of Trumbull County Children Services, was among 10 contestants vying for the chance to win a new Chevy Trax or a $15,000 cash prize.
Each contestant was selected at random from a pool of United Way donors who contributed at least $260 to either the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley or the United Way of Trumbull County during 2025. Five contestants were selected from each branch, and Lawrence was chosen because of her donations to United Way of Trumbull County.
“I think I’m going to take the money,” Lawrence said. “I’m going to be starting graduate school soon.”
Lawrence said she plans to begin a graduate program in social work in May at Cleveland State University, so the money will come in handy.
Contributing to the United Way is an easy way to show support for the organization’s programs and give back to the community, Lawrence said. “I can have it come right out of my paycheck, and I’m making a difference,” she said. “Even when I’m not physically doing something, my money is doing something.”
This is the 16th year that the Greenwood dealership has held the event.
“Sixteen years ago, this started as a simple idea for a way to encourage people’s support for their local United Way and, more importantly, say thank you to the folks that give their time, energy, money and help right here at home,” said Sean Greenwood, fixed operations director at Greenwood. “Over the years, we’ve watched this event grow into something we’re proud to be a part of.”
The 10 finalists were introduced during the event and then asked to draw a numbered ping-pong ball from a bucket. As each number was called, the contestant was asked to select one of 10 numbered keys. The finalist whose key was able to start the vehicle was the winner.
On this occasion, it came down to the final two contestants. Lawrence was the ninth one to try, and her key proved to be the winner.
However, this year Greenwood Chevrolet added another incentive and awarded $500 to all of the contestants whether they won or not.
Among the other finalists for the Extra Mile Giveaway from Trumbull County were Bob Hoy, Rebecca Zevkovic, Johna Scherzer and Christine Bero. Those selected from Mahoning County were April King, Erica Brown-Fire, Leonard Pogacnik, Karen Larwin and Christina Smith.
Representatives from both United Way chapters thanked the team at Greenwood Chevrolet for their support, especially its president, Greg Greenwood.
“The tradition lives on, and it benefits our community so much,” said Christine Cope, president and CEO of the United Way of Trumbull County. “That incentive truly encourages people to give a little bit more.”
Roxanne Sebest, vice president of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, said the event has become part of the Mahoning Valley and exemplifies the outpouring of support for the organizations.
“We can’t do our work without the donors, without the volunteers, without the corporations,” she said. “We can’t do it alone.”
Pictured at top: Andre’a Lawrence, the winner of this year’s Greenwood Chevrolet Extra Mile Giveaway.