SAF/Subaru dealerships announce winner of 2006 Outback

Jered Messerly of Pablo looks comfortable behind the wheel of his new car (courtesy photo)

HELENA - The winner of the Montana College Goal Sunday Car Raffle is Jered Messerly of Pablo.

Recently, Student Assistance Foundation (SAF) Board Member Ed Jasmin drew Messerly's ticket out of almost 5,000 tickets sold throughout the state over the past few months. The raffle is part of a promotional effort geared to raise awareness of Montana College Goal Sunday events, supported by Subaru USA and Montana Subaru dealers.

Montana College Goal Sunday is a free, statewide program that helps students and their families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - an important step on the road to obtaining higher education. This year, Montana College Goal Sunday was held at 17 locations across the state on Feb. 11.

Messerly said he never expected to win the car when he purchased his ticket from a member of the Ronan Chapter of the American Indian Business Leaders (AIBL).

"I was speechless. I didn't know what to think," he said after hearing about his good fortune. "I called around and told everyone I won a car!"

Groups from across the state are invited to partner with SAF in the raffle as a means of raising money. From each $5 ticket sold, $1 goes to support the group's efforts.

This year, 29 groups sold raffle tickets, collecting about $2,000 for their activities. Ronan's AIBL chapter sold the most raffle tickets - 470 in all.