Rare 302 Boss Mustangs Given Away To Help Veterans Injured In Line Of Duty-Young Man Wins Both Cars By Supporting Healing Heroes Networks' Causes
The winner of the 2011 Mustang Dream Giveaway fundraising sweepstakes benefiting Healing Heroes Network that helps veterans injured in the line of duty, was awarded two rare Boss 302 Mustangs at Ford World Headquarters.
DEARBORN, MI, August 12, 2011
Thomas Barker, 24, took the keys and ownership of two rare Ford Boss 302 Mustangs, which he won from the 2011 Mustang Dream Giveaway by making a donation to help injured veterans. The Effingham, Ill. resident was randomly selected as the winner of the fundraising sweepstakes that ended July 4, 2011 and was awarded the vehicles at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich. on Aug. 7, 2011.The first half of the prize package was a completely restored, factory racer 1969 Boss 302 Mustang. The second was a 2012 Patriot Edition Boss 302 Mustang; a one-of-a-kind, Serial #1 of 1 vehicle created specifically for the giveaway. The keys for both vehicles (the world's only matching pair of first and second generation Boss 302s) were personally handed to Barker by Donald Farr, author of Mustang Boss 302, Ford Trans-Am Pony Car, and Dave Pericak, lead designer of the latest car in the prize pack.
Dr. Allan Spiegel, founder of Healing Heroes Network -- the non-profit charity that benefited from the giveaway -- as well as numerous Ford and Dream Giveaway representatives attended the award ceremony.
Barker first received the news that he won the Mustangs via phone on July 15, 2011.
"No way," said Barker at the time, proclaiming he "never expected to win."
At the award ceremony, Barker still sounded awe-struck.
"I couldn't believe it," Barker said. "I was totally blown away."
As excited as Barker was at the ceremony, he didn't forget the causes his donation went to support. As he addressed the audience after taking ownership of his two Mustangs, he conveyed his appreciation of the goals and efforts of Healing Heroes Network and went on to express his sadness for the recent loss of the 31 troops who died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan just one day earlier.
Editor's note: For interviews, high resolution photos or additional information, call (727) 536-2777. Photos of the award ceremony are online at: Photobucket.com/2011MDGAwardCeremony.
About Dream Giveaway
Headquartered in Clearwater, Fla. and founded in 2008, Dream Giveaway helps to generate funds to assist charitable organizations in carrying out their vital missions. As a direct marketing organization, Dream Giveaway accomplishes this through the design and execution of national sweepstakes programs. Past giveaways have featured Mustangs, Corvettes and Porsches and their proceeds have assisted many non-profit charities around the U.S. For more information about Dream Giveaway, call (727) 536-2777.
About Healing Heroes Network
Healing Heroes Network, a Florida-based 501(c)(3) 26-3714861 non-profit organization, is proud to serve the brave men and women of the military and their families. HHN is a non-partisan, non-political organization founded to directly help wounded veterans injured in the line of duty on or after 9/11/01 in Iraq and Afghanistan. HHN believes the best way to show your patriotism and appreciation for those that sacrifice so much to protect our country, our homes, and our families, is to help them heal. For more information, visit http://www.healingheroes.org.