Ford’s cyber-orange 2021 Bronco, “Black Diamond Edition,” goes to family with a heart for improving kids’ lives
Madisonville, TN—Ellijay, GA resident and foster parent, Dustin Long, was the lucky ticket holder whose name was drawn at the Monroe Area Clubs Annual Auction on Saturday night, August 14.
For the last 22 years, Boys & Girls Clubs in the Monroe area have hosted an annual auction for friends and supporters of the Club. Items are donated by individuals and businesses alike, and the event is a fun, casual evening. However, a few years ago, a supporter donated a used Jaguar to the auction, which raised $3,000 by itself, and a seed was planted in the minds of organizers.
Then in late 2019, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region CEO, Derrick Kinsey, shared an idea that he had seen from a Boys & Girls Club organization in Kingsport, TN: Raffle off a brand new vehicle!
For the Monroe area units, including such a raffle as the main draw at the annual auction was a no-brainer. Now retired Club staff member, Danny Gardner, Club staff, Carly Armstrong and several board members took the idea and ran with it, contacting David McMahan, owner of Jacky Jones Ford Lincoln in Sweetwater. The original idea was to ask about a Ford F150, but David had the inside scoop and quickly steered the Clubs to what David said was going to be “the next big thing” in Ford vehicles: the 2021 Bronco. Board members agreed, and the order was placed for a cyber-orange Bronco, Black Diamond Edition with lots of bells and whistles.
But the vehicle still had to be built, and it had to be built in time to be given away. Thanks to a global chip shortage caused by COVID manufacturing shutdowns and slowdowns, getting it built was a Herculean feat, but somehow Ford made it happen. The vehicle was delivered exactly one week before the auction date.
After a relaxing evening at this year’s western-themed auction, the time finally arrived to draw one lucky name from the tumbler. As BGCOR staff member, Carly Armstrong, worked to make sure the ballots were thoroughly shuffled, board member Linda Huinker readied the crowd. The name was drawn: Dustin Long of Elijay.
Dustin had found out about the raffle from Tifany Collins, the Human Resources Manager at Jacky Jones Ford Lincoln. Dustin said he really had no hopes of winning, he just bought his two tickets because he felt like it was for a good cause. He was actually at church when the announcement was made and missed both the live announcement and the phone call. When he finally got the message, he was blown away. “I could not be more thankful and I’m looking forward to meeting you all!” he replied in a text message.
After being given the keys to his new vehicle, Dustin said, “I want to thank everybody for this amazing prize. I’m so excited about it! I know it’s an awesome cause for the Boys & Girls Clubs, and we thank you guys for all you do to help children. Hopefully you were able to raise enough money to help a lot of children this year.”
Dustin went on to say that he has four children and that he and his wife have been foster parents for 10 years, serving and caring for more than 70 children in that time.
“This is a very special cause for us as well,” said Dustin, “So, we just want to thank [the Clubs] for what you do. We sure appreciate everything!”
Congratulations once again to Dustin Long and family on your brand new, 2021 Ford Bronco. Here’s hoping it serves you and your children faithfully for many years to come!
