Super Market Sweep the 'United Way'

Trista and Frank Hansen read their first clue on the run during Wednesday's Super Market Sweep competition for United Way dollars at Wal-Mart. [Click to enlarge]

The snowy weather Wednesday morning did not deter fans of the McCook United Way and its benefit agencies from participating in the first ever United Way Super Market Sweep.

Agency representatives, spectators, Wal-Mart employees and United Way board members gathered at the McCook Super Wal-Mart for an abridged version of "Super Market Sweep" the tie-breaker for the United Way incentive package winners.

Van Korell of AmFirst Bank went head-to-head against Frank Hansen of the United Parcel Service in a timed question event designed to earn shopping seconds for the main competition. At stake was the grand prize of 1,000 United Way dollars with the runner-up receiving 500 UW dollars.

The clock is ticking as Van Korell reaches for another clue, found in the dairy case at Wal-Mart Wednesday morning. [Click to enlarge]

Frank, ably assisted by his wife, Trista, proved his familiarity with United Way benefit agencies by correctly answering 7 of the 10 questions posed by United Way board president Steve Stein, who served as game master. Each correct answer was worth 30 seconds of shopping time. Each contestant started the competition with one minute on the shopping clock. Frank and Trista left the starting gate with 4.5 minutes and Korell, assisted by Leeland Shiers, had 2.5 minutes.

Clues, 10 per contestant, were distributed throughout the grocery section of the Super WalMart. Again, Frank was the front-runner in the competition, solving and collecting all 10 clues with time to spare. Korell and Shiers made an excellent showing as well, returning with five of the 10 clues at the end of the fast-paced competition.

The sweep served as the tie-breaker for this year's United Way Make Your Caring Count campaign incentive program. Donors contributing $50 or more to the campaign were entered into a drawing for the incentive program for each $50 contributed. The campaign raised a record-breaking $86,522, surpassing the goal of $85,000.

Steve Stein (center) United Way board president, explains the buzzer system to, (from left) Trista and Frank Hansen, contestants; Clark Bates, representative for the Salvation Army, a United Way benefit agency; Barbie Long, Wal-Mart employee and game coordinator; and Van Korell and Leeland Shiers, contestants. The buzzers were on loan from the McCook High School Quiz Bowl Team. [Click to enlarge]

"We are thrilled to have such a fun and exciting end to a very successful campaign," said Stein. "And its exciting to know that the prize money will be spent here in our community."

The United Way Dollars are valid for 60 days at these merchants: The Buckle; Senhert's; Sport Shoppe; Longnecker Jewelry; Ben Franklin; Lots to Love; Hershbergers; Garrison's; Country Whimsy; Stockman's; Burrows; Frontier Home; Whitaker Furniture; Gary's Country Peddler; Dave's U Save Pharmacy; Wal-Mart; Sun Mart; Barnett's Do-It-Yourself Center; McCook Glass & Mirror; Brown's Shoes; Peterson Jewelry; Eakes; Samway; McCook Eye Clinic; and McCook Pharmacy Medical Supply.

United Way serves a variety of agencies in McCook and Southwest Nebraska, including Mid-Nebraska Homelessness Prevention, Special Olympics, Domestic Abuse, Live 4-Y'ers, the Handi-bus, Salvation Army, CASA, FAIR, Cedars Southwest, Swatters 4-H, Adult Education, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Head Start, Partners in Parenting, Commodity Supplement, Job Support, Home Delivered Meal Program and the Ed Thomas YMCA.

Steve Stein, United Way board president, presents the runner up prize of 500 United Way dollars to Super Market Sweep winner Van Korell. Korell was assisted in the competition by Leeland Shiers. Joining in the presentation are representatives of United Way benefit agencies (back, from left) Mary Bargen, FAIR, Kathy Haas, PIP; Clark Bates, Salvation Army; Rita Maloley, Cedars; Barb Ostrum, Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska and Janeen Miller of Cedars. [Click to enlarge]

Steve Stein, United Way board president, presents the grand prize of 1,000 United Way dollars to Super Market Sweep winners Frank and Trista Hansen. Joining in the presentation are representatives of United Way benefit agencies (back, from left) Mary Bargen, FAIR, Kathy Haas, PIP; Clark Bates, Salvation Army; Rita Maloley, Cedars; Barb Ostrum, Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska and Janeen Miller of Cedars. [Click to enlarge]

SuperMarket Sweep contestants (from left) Van Korell, Leeland Shiers, Trista Hansen and Frank Hansen, take their mark Wednesday morning in preparation for the final competition to determine the grand prize winner of 1,000 United Way Dollars. United Way board president Steve Stein (center) waits for game officials to set the timers. The Korell team earned 2.5 minutes of shopping time. The Hansens had 4.5 minutes to find 10 clues. [Click to enlarge]