AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – Call it the luck of the Irish. 

Mary Beth Phillips found out Wednesday that she was the winner of either a 2025 Chevrolet Trax or $15,000 in cash – her choice – as part of the annual Extra Mile Giveaway event sponsored by Greenwood Chevrolet and the local United Way organizations.

On Thursday, the lucky winner opted for the cash and plans to use some of it for a trip to Ireland this summer. 

“My dad was born and raised there,” Phillips said. She hasn’t been to the Emerald Isle since 1999 and has plans to return in June with her daughters and son.

Phillips, her family members and friends gathered at the Greenwood dealership on Mahoning Avenue where she announced her decision.

Phillips said her current vehicle is still under lease, and it made more sense to accept the $15,000. “I haven’t really processed it yet,” she said.

This is the 15th year that Greenwood Chevrolet, the United Way of Trumbull County and the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley have partnered to host the Extra Mile Giveaway event.

Each year, both United Way chapters randomly select five names each who have donated $260 or more through their workplace campaigns. Phillips, a Boardman resident who works at Premier Bank, found out she was the grand prize winner out of the 10 finalists Wednesday evening during a televised broadcast on WYTV. 

“I was shocked,” she said. “I kept telling myself not to get too excited. So when it happened, I really didn’t expect it.”

Greg Greenwood, president of Greenwood Chevrolet, said both chapters of the United Way experienced successful fundraising campaigns during 2024, and this is the dealership’s way of recognizing the efforts of local donors.

In general, most winners choose the vehicle, Greenwood said, but others opt for the cash for certain reasons.

Bob Hannon, president and CEO of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, said the event has encouraged participants in the various workplace programs to give more throughout the year. “We see it makes a difference. You need to give at least $260 a year to be eligible,” he said. “So we’ve seen people move their gift from $100 to $260, from $150 to $260.”

Hannon said United Way’s partnership with Greenwood Chevrolet is a great way to thank donors and, at the same time, raise important funds for United Way and its programs. 

“We see it raise dollars for United Way, and it’s a nice incentive for us,” he said.

Pictured at top: Mary Beth Phillips, winner of the Extra Mile Giveaway event.