RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Francisco Varela, a Riverside resident, has won a brand new Audi A4 from Altura Credit Union in the culmination of a year-long campaign to promote the convenience and ease of using Altura’s Visa Debit Card to make everyday purchases.
As part of the “Better Ways to Win” promotion, Altura members who used their debit card to make purchases were entered for a chance to win a $500 drawing each month. Those 12 lucky monthly winners then earned a chance for the brand new Audi A4.
The drawing for the car was held in conjunction with the grand reopening of Altura’s University Avenue branch in February. The dozen contestants each pulled a number to determine the order in which they would try a key to open the car.
Varela, who thought he was pretty lucky when he won $500 last May, took the day off from his job as a trucker to try his luck again.
“I thought my chances were pretty good at 1 in 12. I told my friends I would win, but I was joking,” he said. Then he pulled number 11. Ten others before him would have a chance to win the car, but Varela’s luck held when he turned the key and did a happy dance around the parking lot. He was congratulated by Altura President and CEO Mark Hawkins and Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Binkley, along with cheerleaders from University of California, Riverside, and a crowd of onlookers.
The family opted for the cash option rather than the car, receiving $36,000 before taxes. For now, the money has been deposited in an Altura share account.
Above, right, Francisco Varela, center, celebrates winning an Audi A4 from Altura Credit Union with its CEO Mark Hawkins and Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Binkley and two cheerleaders from UC Riverside. Varela had the chance to win the car after winning a monthly $500 drawing last year for using hisAltura Visa Debit Card to make a purchase. Those 12 monthly winners had a chance to win the car. The Riverside trucker and family man was thrilled with his win.
At right, Varela does a happy dance after winning the Audi A4.