Drive Out AIDS, Win a New Car

A new car is being raffled to raise funds for increased community awareness and HIV/AIDS prevention in our communities.

On World AIDS Day 2013, The Black AIDS Institute announced "Drive Out AIDS," a partnership with Los Angeles-based Car Pros Kia of Carson made possible, in part, by the dealership's top salesperson: Alvin "Alabama" Lovett.

"I jumped on the opportunity to work with The Black AIDS Institute on this project, knowing that they are the world's greatest advocate for informing our communities about the epidemic," says Lovett, who has found numerous ways to share his blessings with others through gifts of time, money and resources.

"After my first month, the owner, Ken Phillips, would allow me to discount the cars sold to the citizens of Compton," says Lovett. "I would give the city of Compton $100 for every car sold in this manner," which earned him the moniker "ambassador of Carson." "We have built up a fund that amounts to thousands of dollars. We used those funds to help the youth and the poor in the Compton community."

One happy customer—a colonel from Desert Storm—gave Lovett a van. Instead of keeping the van, the Car Pros Kia staff and mechanics refurbished it and gave it to His Sheltering Arms homeless shelter in L.A. That van is still on the road transporting women and children from Compton and South Central L.A. to the refuge.

Still, Lovett felt there was more he could do to give back to the community. Lovett, who has a cousin living with HIV, wanted to do something to promote awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. He was willing to purchase a car to offer as a raffle prize when his boss stepped in. "Ken said because of my productivity and contribution as a salesman over the last seven years, he would buy a 2014 Kia Forte Sedan," says Lovett. "The car donation is an appreciation for me as an employee and for helping them become the No. 1 dealership in the nation. Also because of the service I do for the community, he wanted to show his appreciation. Ken Phillips is an owner that cares."

The 2014 Kia Forte Sedan comes fully equipped with a 10-year, 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty—the best in the United States—as well as AM/FM satellite radio, MP3 and USB outlets and Bluetooth.

You can enter the raffle by going to AIDSraffle.org. The raffle tickets cost only $25 each. Increase your odds by purchasing three opportunities to win for $70 or five for $100. Anyone who registers before National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Feb. 7 will be entered into a free raffle for a four-day Carnival Cruise for two—yes, you get two raffles for the price of one! We will draw the winner of the cruise on Feb. 7 as part of the Institute's Awareness Day activities. To qualify for the cruise drawing, submit your registration by 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST on Thursday, Feb. 6.

The winning ticket for the Kia Forte will be drawn on Saturday, March 29, 2014. To qualify for the drawing for the car, you must purchase tickets before March 29 or before 30,000 tickets have been sold, whichever comes first. Go here to learn more about contest rules.

April Eugene is a Philadelphia-based writer.