EAGLE, ID, December 22, 2009 – When Reid Wiebler (age 14) of Davenport, IA played the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) harvest game in late September he never dreamed that he would be the Grand Prize Winner and take home $10,000 -- $5,000 for himself and $5,000 for his own school, Assumption Catholic High School also in Davenport.
The Idaho® Potato Harvest Game sweepstakes launched on September 15, 2009 to help celebrate the 2009 Idaho® potato harvest and educate consumers of all ages on how a potato grows. Game participants watched a short, animated video hosted by the IPC mascot, Spuddy Buddy, and then were invited to play a short memory game The game was open to U.S. residents ages seven and older. “We know that consumers and schools alike are struggling during this weak economy and we wanted to give kids of all ages the opportunity to learn how America’s favorite potato is grown as well as the chance to win a cash gift…something that everyone can use especially around the holidays,” said Frank Muir, President and CEO, IPC.
Reid is one in a family of six children who have all attended Assumption High School. He loves the school because it is small and he receives a strong academic education which is balanced with spiritual studies. “I was really happy to win $5,000 for Assumption. It is a great school with really good teachers and students who care about their future,” continued Reid.
“I cannot tell you how excited I was to hear that Reid had won the Idaho Potato Commission’s harvest game sweepstakes and the $10,000. We are so thankful that he had designated Assumption Catholic High School as the recipient of the $5,000 split!,” said Chuck Elbert, Principal of Assumption Catholic High School. “The Wiebler’s generosity is just one of the many examples of support that we are so blessed to receive from the families and friends of Assumption and we will now add the Idaho Potato Commission to our list of benefactors. The timing could not be more perfect as some of our families our struggling to make ends meet and this money added to our tuition aid assistance program will help make it easier for a number of those families to continue their education at Assumption. Thank you to Reid and to the Idaho Potato Commission!”
The Idaho Potato Commission is a state agency that is primarily responsible for expanding the markets for Idaho-grown potatoes through advertising, promotion and research. The Commission also protects the use of the "Idaho® potato" and "Grown in Idaho®" seals, which are federally registered Certification Marks that belong to the IPC. These Marks ensure that consumers are purchasing potatoes that have been grown in the state of Idaho.
