Traverse City Resident Wins the Art Van Furniture 1959 Corvette Convertible at Motown Concert

Market Wire

posted: 16 DAYS 8 HOURS AGO

Text SizeAAA

WARREN, MI -- (Marketwire) -- 11/12/09 -- From over 541,000 entries, a Traverse City woman was awarded the Grand Prize in the Art Van 50th Anniversary Corvette Giveaway last night. Tracie Sears and her husband Todd attended the "Michigan Legends Charity Concert" in Warren, pairing three 50-year-old legends: Art Van Furniture, Motown and the 1959 Corvette. Over 600 people attended the concert hosted by Chairman and Founder Art Van Elslander and radio personality Dick Purtan. Motown acts performing included The Original Vandellas ("Heat Wave"), the Miracles ("Ooo Baby Baby") and the Contours ("Do You Love Me").

The highlight of the event was the announcement of the winner of the fully restored 1959 red Corvette convertible. Tracie was one of ten semifinalists who were drawn and invited to the concert, and the winner was selected from a live drawing; then Tracie took the stage and sat behind the wheel of her dream car. "I never dreamed I'd actually win! My husband and I drove down from Traverse City to see the concert, but I never expected to hear my name called as the winner!" said Tracie. Todd and Tracie are the parents of two children, aged 7 and 9.

Bob McQueen, Store Manager of the Traverse City Art Van Furniture store, commented, "Tracie is a lucky woman. She came in earlier this year for our 'Sit for Schools' promotion and helped her children's school, Cherry Knoll Elementary School, win a $1,000 donation. At that event, she learned about the Corvette contest and now she's won that too!"

The 1959 Corvette is being delivered to the winners on Friday during a celebration at the Art Van store in Traverse City. All are invited to the party at 4pm to congratulate Tracie and her family.

"Art Van, Motown and the Corvette have stood the test of time to become symbols of Michigan pride," said Art Van Elslander. "Our state has a long tradition of great, hard working people, innovation and leadership. The concert was a celebration, and particularly nice for me to hand over this beautiful car to such a wonderful young family. The concert was also about raising money and awareness for Gleaners Community Food Bank, which helps so many families in need throughout Michigan."

The event was underwritten by Art Van and all proceeds were donated to Gleaners Community Food Bank. Art Van is also collecting toys as part of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program at showrooms throughout Michigan. Customers can create a special Christmas for a child in need by donating a new, unwrapped toy. Toys will be delivered to local children by Christmas Day. No toy guns, please.

"This is part of our 50-year tradition of giving back to the community," added Art Van Elslander. "We want to benefit the communities we work and serve in today as well as future generations."

About Art Van Furniture

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Art Van Furniture is Michigan's largest furniture retailer and America's largest independent furniture retailer, operating 31 stores in 29 communities throughout Michigan, a full service e-commerce website plus a new freestanding bedding store in Canton, Michigan, Art Van Pure Sleep. The company was recently named "2009 Furniture Retailer of the Year" by Furniture Today Magazine. The company is family owned and headquartered in Warren, Michigan. For more information, visit www.artvan.com.

Photos of event and winner are available upon request

CONTACT:
Diane Charles
Director of Corporate Communications
Art Van Furniture

Email Contact
586-983-3022

MARKET WIRE

2009-11-12 15:33:52