JC Whitney Revs Up Centennial "Build a Truck/Jeep" Sweepstakes and Charity Event: Benefits United Way and Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts

LASALLE, Ill., June 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- JC Whitney today announced that it is putting its birthday celebration in the hands of its fans with a creative and engaging fan-powered sweepstakes contest that will help the company build two spectacular custom vehicles – and give back to the community by auctioning one of the vehicles to benefit United Way veterans' programs and youth training at the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts. 

"This sweepstakes and auction celebrate a major milestone in the history of JC Whitney, recognizing its impact on the Auto Aftermarket while honoring our customers, employees and suppliers," said Shane Evangelist, CEO of JC Whitney.

Coinciding with the 100^th birthday of Automotive Hall of Fame inductee Roy Warshawsky, the son of JC Whitney's founder and inventor of the iconic JC Whitney catalog, JC Whitney's Centennial website is accepting entries that not only offer the opportunity to win one of two vehicles, but that also help fuel the custom build of those vehicles: a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Ford F-150 XLT. The more entries, the more comprehensive the build becomes. It's up to motorheads to help guide the build of the vehicles. That, in turn, helps increase the value of the vehicles:one going home with a lucky fan and the other auctioned off to benefit United Way and the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts,two organizations that echo the company's ideal of automotive enthusiasm and community service.

"I know if Roy were here for his 100th birthday, he would have been proud to see how the company he built has thrived in the 21st Century, how important JC Whitney and its catalogs remain to so many, and how the company has evolved into the current digital world," said Roy's daughter, Carol Warshawsky. "But, most of all, I think he would be so very proud to know that the company's Centennial celebration doesn't just glorify the past, but looks toward the future as it brings JC Whitney and JCW enthusiasts together to support two great causes - United Way programs to help house and find jobs for vets, and the AXC program which trains young people for careers in the auto industry."

How it Works

Sweepstakes entries will be collected and tracked at http://100.jcwhitney.com/sweepstakes beginning June 15 and concluding September 30. The more entries, the bigger the build:

• 1,000 entries = K&N Cold Air Intake Upgrades
• 2,500 entries = Flowmaster Cat-Back Exhaust Upgrades
• 5,000 entries = Powerstop Four Wheel Brake System Upgrades
• 7,500 entries = Curt Towing Upgrades
• 10,000 entries = Rancho Lift Kit Upgrades
• 12,500 entries = B&M Shifter/Transmission Upgrades
• 15,000 entries = Covercraft Interior Accessory Upgrades
• 20,000 entries = Bestop Jeep Top & Jeep Accessory Upgrades
• 25,000 entries = Lund Truck Accessory Upgrades
• 30,000 entries = Westin Exterior Upgrades
• 35,000 entries = Yukon Gear Driveline Upgrade
• Plus more...

Three finalists will be notified in early October, then flown to Las Vegas to attend SEMA Ignited, the SEMA Show after party, on November 6^th, where the Sweepstakes vehicles (2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Ford F-150 XLT) will be unveiled – along with the Grand Prize winner, who will pick the vehicle of his/her choice. Two prizes of $2,000 gift certificates redeemable for parts available on jcwhitney.com will be awarded to the semi-finalists.

The remaining vehicle will be auctioned off later this year, with proceeds going to United Way and the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts. United Way creates pathways out of poverty for veterans in need through their homelessness work and employment programs. With shop classes disappearing from the curriculum of high schools, the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts in Pomona, CA provides a free two-year program for students seeking careers in the auto industry.  

"More sweepstakes entries mean more cool parts on the Jeep and F-150, and the potential to raise more money for two great causes," said Shane Evangelist, CEO of JC Whitney. "We will be posting the number of entries we receive and, at various milestones, we will add a Centennial Sponsors part to our project vehicles. The builds are going to be incredible and fun to be a part of. I'd like all fans of JC Whitney to submit an entry, tell their friends and help make this the most amazing enthusiast event in the last 100 years!"

The sweepstakes and charity auction is part of a year long celebration of the company's centennial which also includes a dedicated website, car shows, the Centennial JK build and adventures in Moab, Utah and participating in a Guinness World Record breaking Jeep parade at Daytona International Speedway.

For complete information about rules and regulations go to: http://100.jcwhitney.com/sweepstakes/

The performance parts and accessories JC Whitney will install on the Sweepstakes Jeep and Truck are available at jcwhitney.comand are provided by JC Whitney's Centennial Presenting Sponsors: B&M Racing, Bestop Incorporated, Covercraft Industries, Curt Manufacturing, Flowmaster Mufflers, K&N Engineering, Lund International, Power Stop Brakes, Rancho Suspension, Westin Automotive Products and Yukon Gear & Axle. Installation guidance and labor will be provided by OC Motorsports.

About JC Whitney

Established in 1915, JC Whitney & Co. is the largest direct marketer of name-brand automotive parts and accessories, providing "everything automotive" with more than 6 million automotive applications from the latest model year back to the 1920s, and over 1.2 million parts for over 25 million different vehicles. Backed by 100 years of  hands-on, expert customer service, JC Whitney offers products for virtually any vehicle — automobiles, trucks, jeeps, modern muscle, motorcycles, and more — through its comprehensive family of general and vehicle-specific catalogs and www.jcwhitney.com. The company is dedicated providing customers the parts they need at the most competitive prices, along with the highest levels of customer service, fast and low cost shipping and convenient returns. 

About United Way LA

United Way of Greater Los Angeles is a nonprofit organization that creates pathways out of poverty by helping homeless people move into housing, providing students with the support they need to graduate high school prepared for college and the workforce, and helping hard-working families become financially stable. United Way identifies the root causes of poverty and works strategically to solve them by building alliances across all sectors, funding targeted programs and advocating for change. For more information, visit www.unitedwayla.org.

About Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts

The AXC program was developed in collaboration with automotive business owners and classic car enthusiasts based in the Inland Valley outside of Los Angeles. During the two-year program, high school students explore automotive concepts and build skills in basic mechanics, diagnostics and service, auto body, metal fabrication and restoration. The program is designed to prepare students for continued study in college and the workplace. The program is funded through the generous support of private donors and sustaining partners.

To join in on the JCW Centennial celebration follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram and use #JCW100.

Contact: For a list of scheduled media events, to share your JC Whitney memories and to set up interviews contact:

Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, [email protected] (424) 603-4340
Elizabeth Johnson, mWEBB Communications, [email protected] (213) 713-4865

SOURCE JCWhitney.com

Related Links

http://www.jcwhitney.com