And the winners are.....
Mall awards grand prizes for holiday promotion
by KIMBERLY M. KARCHER Clarence Editor

Michael Dudek, seated above, of Buffalo was the grand prize winner of the Eastern Hills Mall promotion, "Everybody's a Winner at Eastern Hills Mall." Dudek won a 2007 Saturn Sky Convertible. General Manager of the Mall Judy Sirianni and Mark Carrow, manager of Saturn of Clarence, presented Dudek with the keys on Thursday. Photos by John Rusac

During the month of December, an estimated 50,000 patrons of Eastern Hills Mall took part in the holiday promotion of, "Everybody's a Winner at Eastern Hills Mall."

Everyday from Nov. 24 through Dec. 24, members of Club Eastern Hills could spin the "big wheel" for a chance to enter to win some "fabulous" prizes including a 2007 Saturn Sky Convertible.

But sticking true to its dedication as a hub for community involvement and a place for family fun, the behind-the-scenes magic workers of Eastern Hills Mall made sure nobody walked away from the Vegas-style casino empty handed. Every participant could win something, everyday, every time they played.

"It was a wonderful way for us to give back to our shoppers," said Ellen Kaminsky, marketing manager for the mall. "We wanted to create something that would add some fun to the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping."

Recently, mall officials drew winners from more then 10,000 entry forms for the top three prizes.

And the winners are....

Michael R. Dudek

Believe it or not, the Buffalo resident only entered to win a grand prize one time.

Well, his one entry proved to be lucky. Dudek walked or should we say drove away in the 2007 Saturn Sky convertible.

"There was a message on my machine over the weekend," Dudek said. "Honestly, I thought someone thought I hit a car in the mall parking lot...not that I won a car."

Dudek said his fiance was an avid "Everybody's a Winner" player.

"She entered so many times," he said with a laugh. "And I enter one little time and I won. I couldn't believe it."

Dudek said his new wheels are quite the eye catcher.

"It's a beautiful car," he said. "I was happy to win the little ornaments and stuff everyday, but of course I'm just as happy to win a car."

Jill Schaefer

Whether or not Jill Schaefer of Cheektowaga is the true winner of the all-expense paid trip for two to Las Vegas is up to her and her father.

Schaefer entered the competition just twice during the month long promotion, but one of those times it was actually her dad that wrote down her name.

"Technically it could have been my dad that won," Schaefer said, who added that she was actually on vacation when she learned she won a vacation. "But, it was my name on the card...so...."

Schaefer said she has been to Sin City once before and although she is not much of a gambler, she looks forward to seeing the sights and maybe catching a few shows.

But, the real question is, who will she be taking with her?

"Well...." she said. "My dad of course. I thought it would be fitting since he may have won the trip for me. It's going to be fun and I am looking forward to the vacation."

Karen Abt

The third grand prize in Everybody's a Winner was a perfect fit for a Clarence mother of three.

Karen Abt was awarded a $1,000 gift certificate to Dave and Buster's.

"I played quite a few times," Abt said. "I have three kids and you know how it is with games. Each of them took turns choosing numbers on the big wheel."

Abt, said her children Liz, 14, Billy, 11 and Joey, 2, were rooting for the Dave and Buster's prize package.

"They were like 'if you win the car, there's only two seats and you won't take us' and 'if you win a trip to Vegas, it's only for two and we won't get to go,'" she said. "They're kids, they know what they want."

Although she's not exactly sure how she'll use the special events certificate, a party of some sort is in the works.

"Well we can maybe do a joint birthday party for all the kids," she said. "But, I want to have some of my friends there too, so maybe it will just be a fun get-together. Who knows."

Abt said she really enjoyed the holiday promotion.

"It was very cute and creative," she said. " It added to the fun of things while you were out shopping. You could get something no matter what. I hope they do it again."

As marketing manager, Kaminsky said the creative team at Eastern Hills Mall will continue to explore and create fun activities for shoppers to enjoy while they are at the mall.

"With 'Everybody's a Winner' it really took some of the stress out of holiday shopping," Kaminsky said. "And it was still family orientated as many kids got to pick the numbers for their parents and everyday there was a free gift, so overall the promotion was a great success. We are glad we could provide the community with something as fun as this was. And, it just goes to show that at Eastern Hills Mall, everybody truly is a winner."