Black Canyon City woman wins YHS Jeep raffle

Black Canyon City Woman Wins YHS Jeep Raffle

  Helen Sleeseman of Black Canyon City won Yavapai Humane Society’s raffle for a restored 1971 CJ-5 Jeep. Her winning ticket was drawn on December 28^th at Whisker’s Barkery by the Jeep’s donors, Pat and Nancy O’Brien. Her line was busy for half an hour before YHS’ Executive Director Ed Boks was able to tell her the good news.

  Helen had heard about the raffle on the radio and bought six tickets for $50, tucking one in five family member’s Christmas stockings. Ironically, the winning ticket was the spare she set aside for herself.

  Helen has been battling cancer since 2009 and had just finished her final radiation treatment with positive results when she found out the good news. “I feel so lucky already. I can’t believe this happened, too!”

   Pat O’Brien met with Helen and her family on Monday to officially sign over the Jeep and give her a tour of the vehicle. Helen’s father, Warren Gunnels, accompanied her along with her daughters Kelly Sleeseman and Corie Sleeseman and family member Nickie Kinsey. Helen and Nickie both have dogs adopted from Yavapai Humane Society.

  “We have been so lucky that generous car aficionados have donated raffle vehicles to Yavapai Humane Society for the past two years. Hopefully, someone will be inspired by Pat and Nancy O’Brien’s donation of the Jeep this year and Roger and Luanne Felch’s donation of the Mustang in 2011 and come forward with a vehicle for this year!” says Boks.

     Over $27,000 was raised for the animals of Yavapai Humane Society through the Jeep raffle.