Gerda Werkman, center, of Estero, stands with her family in front of the Beall’s department store in south Fort Myers on July 20. Werkman won a boat from the store during a Father’s Day promotion.
Gerda Werkman doesn't usually drop her name in boxes for giveaways at department stores.
And recently she had no intention of signing up for a giveaway, but while waiting in line at a Beall's department store in Bonita Springs she filled out a slip.
"I didn't expect to win!" said a stunned Werkman, of Estero, after getting the call that she was the winner of a Father's Day promotion of Beall's.
The windfall from that off-chance entry: a 20-foot sport boat with trailer and a 135-horsepower motor, a package valued at $28,817.
"It's great and not so bad really to own a boat in Florida," said Werkman, a native of The Netherlands, who had never previously owned a boat.
Beall's frequently raffles off different "Florida style" items, including trips, but wanted to try something different.
"We've given away trips and hotel stays but never anything of this value," said Karen Filips, Beall's director of store promotions from the corporate offices based out of Bradenton.
"We thought it would be really cool for Father's Day and we called (boat dealer) and everybody got on board."
The boat was purchased from a local Pro Line dealer and delivered to Werkman at the Beall's department store in south Fort Myers.
"I was waiting in line and said 'what the heck?' and filled it out," said Werkman while shopping at the store and waiting for her new boat to arrive. "We filled out the papers already."
She visited the store with her family and some friends that were visiting from Holland.
"I'm going to take them on the boat this weekend," said an excited Werkman. "It's a nice way to spend the weekend."
Spending the day on the water is part of the lifestyle Beall's likes to promote.
"(Promotion) ties in with living the 'Live the Florida lifestyle' that we promote ...," said Filips, adding that the promotion ran in 78 stores in Florida.
"We are really happy that the winner is from the area and that she is a loyal Beall's customer, too," said Denny Ariola, the assistant manager at the Beall's in south Fort Myers.
"She is so loyal that look she is holding a bag of things she just bought today. She is the kind of person we wanted to win," he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment