‘Stay Vaccinated and Stay Safe,’ says WEVax To Win Pacifica Winner

Getting vaccinated to keep the community safe is a small price to pay compared to the incredible sacrifices made by previous generations, says the Tecumseh resident who won a Windsor-built Chrysler Pacifica in the WEVax To Win contest.

“We don’t have much to do compared to the sacrifices they made in the First World War, Second World War and the Korean War,” said Pauline Lesperance, 78. “There were a lot of sacrifices they had to make compared to what we are being asked to do.”

Lesperance, a retired mother of four and a great-grandmother of six, was vaccinated as soon as she was eligible and said she will gladly receive a booster shot when her time comes.

“Everybody should get vaccinated and stay vaccinated and stay safe,” said Lesperance. “It’s a no-brainer.”

Warden Gary McNamara surprised Lesperance at Tecumseh Town Hall Monday with the keys to a sparkling, white Pacifica sourced from Provincial Chrysler that looked and smelled like it had just rolled off the line at the Windsor Assembly Plant.

“Getting vaccinated is its own reward but winning a Pacifica built at the best minivan plant in the world is the icing on the cake,” said McNamara. “I want to thank the more than 315,000 Windsor and Essex County residents who are double vaccinated and remind everyone else that is never too late to do your part in the fight against COVID-19.”

Lesperance said she has never won anything in a lottery or contest before and that the Pacifica was definitely an upgrade from her 2007 Pontiac G5, a vehicle with no power windows she described as “basic, basic, basic.”

The County of Essex and City of Windsor launched the WEVax To Win contest in September to boost the region’s COVID-19 vaccination rate while simultaneously supporting the local economy.

More than $200,000 in prizes, including property tax holidays, post-secondary tuition payments and staycation packages, were available to be won by fully vaccinated residents of Windsor and Essex County.

Windsor Regional Hospital, the University of Windsor, St. Clair College and local businesses stepped up in support of the regional campaign.

Nearly 67,000 people entered the contest. Visit the WEVax To Win website for the full list of winners.

Visit WEVax.ca for information on vaccines or to book appointments.