TAMPA, Fla. -- Gordon Chevrolet was the site of the culmination of a recent GTE Federal Credit Union promotion.
Excitement filled the air as semi-finalists in the GTE FCU Update Now! promotion each drew a key that might open a new silver Chevy HHR.
Designed to encourage members to help update member data in preparation for the credit union's computer system conversion in January 2007, the Update Now! promotion ran from July 10, 2006 to September 30, 2006.
Featuring a Match 3 Instant Cash Game with immediate cash prizes and a grand prize of a Chevy HHR sport utility vehicle for members who updated their account information, the promotion's first three days resulted in over 15,000 members participating in the data validation process. Members either updated their information at a branch by calling a special phone number at GTE FCU headquarters, or by logging in to CU@Home, the credit union's online service. Instant cash prizes ranging from $7 to $7,000 were available.
By the time the Update Now! promotion ended, approximately 30% percent of GTE FCU's accounts had been updated or validated.
Lucky member Carmen Chittenden turned the key and ended up driving away a winner. Beverly Ventrella, the mother of $7,000 winner Philip Ventrella Jr., was similarly thrilled with her son's Update Now! cash prize. Members of the Ventrella family have been GTE FCU members for 18 years. Because P.J. is a minor, most of the money is being earmarked for college.
Members weren't the only Update Now! winners, those that assisted members who updated their account information were eligible for instant cash prizes up to $2,300, as well as five grand prizes of $1,000.
