TOLEDO, Ohio — Joe’s Auto on Holland-Sylvania Rd. in west Toledo celebrated their 34th anniversary on Saturday by giving away a car.
One lucky student is now the proud owner of a 2011 Chevy Cruze.
The founder of Joe’s Auto, Joe Smidi, opened the business in 1990 at the same location it's at today.
In the early years, to celebrate the business's anniversary, Smidi would have a buy one car and get one free sale.
In recent years however the anniversary celebration has evolved to giving away one car in a drawing.
This year, high school and college students who might need a car to get to school were encouraged to sign up for the contest.
“I think education is important for society. I think it’s something that if we all dedicated ourselves to be a student for life, the world would be a better place,” said current owner of Joe’s Auto, Adam Smidi. “So I want to help people do that and help people continue their education.”
Smidi says the tradition has brought lots of smiles to people's faces through the years.
"The best part has to be the reaction of the person that wins. This year was no different. This person, as soon as she heard her name, tears started filling in her eyes. She talked to her husband who wasn't here. They're so happy. Just seeing that reaction,” said Adam Smidi, owner of Joe’s Auto.
The used car dealer also gave out other free gifts to those entered in the drawing, including free oil changes and auto details.
Joe’s Auto is hoping to continue the tradition in the years to come.
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