YMCA in PSL give lucky couple a piece of the American Dream

The Yohmans will be able to build a home identical to the Savona Boulevard house on a free lot several miles away, on Southwest Escobar Lane, by Homecrete ...

Apr 6, 2007

By CHRIS YOUNG
chris.young@scripps.com
April 6, 2007

PORT ST. LUCIE — When Daniel Yohman picked up the phone Thursday and a man told him he just won a house, he and his wife, Betty, thought it could be a joke or telemarketer.

JUAN DALE BROWN
juan.dale.brown@scripps.com

Betty and Daniel Yohman of Spanish Lakes are
greeted by John Lass, at right, of the YMCA at the
Easter House model in Port St. Lucie on Thursday.
The winning couple said they were surprised over
how nice the house is.

But when they realized they really did win the YMCA Easter House with one of two raffle tickets they bought earlier, they quickly drove to the drawing location in amazement.

YMCA officials called the Yohmans on a cell phone as more than 100 people gathered at the 20th annual Easter House event, at 3771 S.W. Savona Blvd., to see the winners announced in person.

"Wow," the Yohmans said simultaneously as they toured the model home.

"We bought two tickets, one for her, one for me, so we don't know who won the house," Daniel said wryly.

They have bought tickets each year since the Easter House giveaway began, and this was the first year they didn't attend the drawing.

"I think I would have fainted," Betty Yohman said.

The fundraiser is the largest of the year for the YMCA. The 75,048 tickets sold at $10 apiece will net the YMCA a couple of hundred thousand dollars after expenses, said Robin Sutherland, the agency's financial development director.

The money will go toward YMCA programs and scholarships for local disadvantaged youth and families, she said, adding that the organization runs seven facilities throughout the Treasure Coast.

A $20,000 prize went to Jim Eanes of Jensen Beach, a $7,500 second prize went to Walter Ferrell of Port St. Lucie and the winner of a $2,500 prize was Ann Lindstrom of Hobe Sound.

The Yohmans will be able to build a home identical to the Savona Boulevard house on a free lot several miles away, on Southwest Escobar Lane, by Homecrete Homes. The four-bedroom, two bath home is worth $306,000 and will be the first on the Treasure Coast to be certified green by the Florida Green Building Coalition, said Jeff Alexander, president of Homecrete.

The Yohmans are 23-year residents of a mobile home in Spanish Lakes, but have a decision ahead of them: whether to keep or sell their new Easter House.

John Lass, president and CEO of YMCA, said about half the winners have stayed in their homes, half have sold.

"We haven't decided what to do," Daniel Yohman said.

He added that they did like their community in Spanish Lakes.

"We're happy where we're at."