Louise Jefferson of Hazlehurst is the grand prize winner of the 2008 Mississippi Children’s Home Services Dream Car Giveaway and the owner of a brand new 2008 Lincoln MKZ. Ticket sales for the 2008 Dream Car Giveaway yielded almost $75,000. Proceeds from the giveaway benefit Mississippi children, youth and families served through the programs of the agency.

As grand prize winner, Jefferson selected one of 12 vehicles from a lineup of new, fully-loaded SUVs, cars and trucks from the Gray-Daniels Auto Family. The drawing was broadcast live on WLBT TV3 at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2 while ClearChannel Radio Stations Q105.1 FM, MISS 103 FM, Hallelujah 95.5 FM, and Z106 FM held live remotes leading up to the anticipated drawing.

Louise Jefferson was not the only excited winner on Saturday: a number of fabulous prizes were given away during the live 30-minute broadcast. Other winners of grand prize trips, savings bonds and other luxurious prizes include:

•Two-night stay, production show tickets and dinner for two at Memphis Q from Beau Rivage Resort and Casino on the Mississippi Gulf Coast: Gill Martin of Vicksburg.

•One-night deluxe accommodations, a full breakfast, tour of the Mansion and hors d’oeuvres at Monmouth Plantation in Natchez: Laurie McRee of Jackson.

•Two-night stay and dinner for two at the award-winning Chicago Steakhouse from Gold Strike Resort in Tunica: Lauren Benner of Jackson.

•Two-night stay with breakfast from Terrell House in New Orleans: Anne Russum of Hattiesburg.

•Two-night stay from Island View Casino Resort on the Mississippi Gulf Coast: Mike Gasvoda of Schererville, Ind.

•One-night stay and dinner for two at Bourbon’s Restaurant from Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg: Patrick Luckett of Brandon.

•2008 Saints Football signed by players: Marilyn Baker of Brandon.

•$1,000 Savings Bond from BancorpSouth: Brooke Pennington of Madison.

• $1,000 Savings Bond from BankPlus: Pam Prestage of Brandon.

•Six-month membership to Courthouse Racquet and Fitness: Timothy Hilbun of Vicksburg.

Mississippi Children’s Home Services 2008 Dream Car Giveaway was a success, thanks to wonderful sponsors and supporters: Gray-Daniels Auto Family, WLBT TV3, Q105.1 FM, MISS 103 FM, Z106 FM, Hallelujah 95.5 FM, Lamar Advertising, VIP Jackson Magazine and The Clarion-Ledger. Event organizers are thankful for area businesses that pitched in to help. Pizza Inn of Madison and Pepsi Cola of Jackson contributed refreshments, while Horne LLP supervised the drawing.

Many children in the care of Mississippi Children’s Home Services have been abused or neglected, with some even removed from their home and put in the custody of the Department of Human Services. Some have behavioral issues for which they need special treatment and therapy in order to re-enter a normal home or school setting.