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Havre's Bowen wins truck in Farm Bureau's Silverado Giveaway

Press release

Karen Bowen, a Montana Farm Bureau Century Club member from Havre, got the keys to a 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 as winner of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation Silverado Giveaway.

Bowen's name was drawn from 25 selected entries during the Montana Farm Bureau Annual Convention Nov. 13-16 in Billings.

Bowen said she was thrilled with winning and explained how she got in the final drawing, stemming from a meeting with Ed Bandel, MFBF's District 8 director, and his wife, Kayla.

"My husband and I were in Great Falls, before I boarded my plane heading to Arizona. I said we should meet Ed and Kayla Bandel for lunch," Bowen said.

She said Bandel asked if the Bowens would become Century Club members, which is the membership level that contributes to Montana Farm Bureau's legislative and legal activities.

"My husband and I both upgraded our memberships and each received a raffle ticket for the Chevy Silverado," she said. "Next, I was notified that I was one of the 25 drawn for the final raffle taking place during the MFBF Convention in Billings. I told my husband I really wanted to go to the convention, so I attended and amazingly won the truck.

"I thank Ed Bandel for the prompting to upgrade my membership and get a bonus entry for the truck drawing," Bowen said.

When she served as an agent for the Mountain West Mutual Insurance Company, Bowen said, Bandel was very supportive of MFBF.

"He kept me involved and informed on what was going on with his county farm bureau and the federation," she said. "Winning this truck is so cool because as an MWFBMIC agent for 10 years, I sold memberships. I always believed in Farm Bureau."

Bowen and her husband, who recently retired from BNSF Railway, live in Havre as well as in Arizona. They had previously attended a few MFBF Conventions.

"When BNSF had the train simulator at the MFBF convention trade show, my husband, who worked for that company, would explain about the simulator," she said. "I wanted to go to the convention this year, and I had a great time."

The retired agent said she had a good feeling about the truck.

"I kept walking past it parked by the Northern during the convention, and I'd say a little prayer that if it's meant to be, I hope to be the winner," she said.

Attending the convention solidified Bowen's dedication to Farm Bureau, she added.

"I feel this organization has given me so much compared to what I was able to give as an agent," she said. "I can't even tell you how winning the truck made me feel. It was the best thing to have ever happened. I feel so blessed to be a part of this organization, and I'm hoping to get more involved with the federation."

As for the truck, she said she is still debating whether to take it to Phoenix or keep it in Havre as her vehicle to use when she's home in Montana.

One thing is for certain, she said, "I'm getting a Farm Bureau Foundation license plate right away."

The Chevy Silverado Giveway was made possible by the support of dealers including Tilleman Motor Company – Havre; Denny Menholt Chevrolet – Billings; Ressler Motors – Bozeman; Karl Tyler Chevrolet – Missoula; City Motor Company – Great Falls; Notbohm Motors – Miles City; Danhof Chevrolet – Manhattan; Beaverhead Motors – Dillon; Dee Motor Company – Anaconda; Mildenberger Motors – Hamilton; Duane Sparks Chevrolet – Lewistown and Jim Taylor Motors – Fort Benton.

MFBF members receive $500 off new Chevy vehicles from participating dealers as part of their Farm Bureau membership benefits.

 

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