ASHLAND – When Margie Bennett tried to start her car after work Thursday night, it wouldn’t start. Lucky for her, a co-worker helped her jump start it. But that was just the beginning of Bennett’s good luck.

On Friday morning, Bennett, who works in the kitchen at Brethren Care Village, was named the winner of the Bill Harris Dealership #KeysForNeed Campaign. As the winner, the Ashland mother of three will receive a new 2016 Chevrolet Trax.

“It’s a Christmas miracle,” Bennett said after being announced as the winner from five finalists. “I am amazed. Words can’t even describe.”

Bennett was nominated by her pastor, her sister and two friends because of the difficulties her family has faced after the death of her husband.

On Easter Sunday, Bennett lost her husband after an 11-year battle with bone marrow cancer. “Resurrection Sunday, but it somehow seemed fitting for him,” Bennett said.

Since her husband’s death, the family has struggled financially and their vehicle is on its last legs.

“We had nothing left by the time he died, but we’re making it through,” Bennett said.

She previously worked at WalMart but needed to find a full-time job after her husband’s death. Bennett is the mother of three, Caitlin, John and Andy.

Bennett said she had never owned or even driven a brand new vehicle, and is very thankful to Bill Harris Dealerships and everyone who voted for her.

“I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you so very much. I didn’t believe that something like this could happen to me. I truly did not believe that.”

Bill Harris Dealerships is also paying all taxes and costs so the Bennett family can have the vehicle completely free of cost.

Harris said that he and his employees spent a lot of time considering and praying before choosing the Bennett family as the winners.

The dealership started the campaign earlier this year with the goal of awarding a new vehicle to a deserving individual or family in the area. Nominations were taken from the community in October, and more than 300 nominations were received Harris said. Facebook voting determined the top five finalists, who were interviewed to determine the winner.

“This is probably one of the hardest things as a human to have to make a decision about who walks away with that car. Very, very difficult,” Harris said. “Every one of these families deserves a car. Every one of you needs a car. We just can’t do it right now.”

Harris said the dealership will start a new #KeysForNeed Campaign in January and the four finalists who did not win will be able to enter again. He encouraged other area business owners to do their part to help deserving people in the community.