An Adel resident is officially $1,000 richer thanks to the annual Raccoon Valley Radio Caring Christmas Cash Giveaway.

Leann Reiste registered for the contest at Farm Bureau Financial Agent John Harada’s office in Adel, and last Friday she got the call that her name had been drawn from amongst the 343 qualifiers. She describes her reaction to learning she had won the grand prize. “I was on my lunch break, I got the call, and I was really surprised! I didn’t really know who was calling me at first, and then it finally sunk in. And I don’t know, it was just really a big surprise. Kind of that ‘Wow’ factor, like, ‘Oh my goodness, I really won?’ It’s very exciting and I’m very grateful!”

Reiste says she’s unsure exactly how she’ll spend the money, but floated the possibility of taking her family on a short vacation and then saving the rest. The annual Caring Christmas Food Drive promotion lasted five weeks and included over 130 hours of live broadcasts at various locations in the listening area. Listeners were able to qualify at the live stops, boxes at area businesses, through client entries, and by taking part in the Caring Christmas Cash Calls. In total, Raccoon Valley Radio gave out around $4,000 during this year’s promotion, with Reiste taking home the largest single amount. Thousands of dollars and food items were also given to local food pantries.

Raccoon Valley Radio General Manager John McGee congratulates each of the cash winners, and thanks the businesses, listeners, community members, and station employees for making Caring Christmas possible.