Temecula Woman Wins New Car

The Fourth of July was an especially big bang for one Temecula resident.

Temecula resident Alicia Fausto won a brand new Chevy Volt electric hybrid car.

Fausto purchased the winning ticket as part of a fundraiser for Jacobs House, a nonprofit organization dedicating to helping families deal with tragedy.

Jacob’s House raised $33,504 during the fundraising campaign with tickets sold online and at several locations in the Temecula Valley, spokesperson Annette Brown said.

Fausto purchased her lucky ticket at Paradise Chevrolet in June.

The money that was raised will be used for the construction of Jacob’s House at a nearby hospital. The home will be a refuge for families who are dealing with traumatic medical needs.

The Jacob’s House project is making headway through the planning stages, and their goal is to break ground at the end of this year.

Paradise Chevrolet donated the hybrid car, which is able to drive for as many as forty miles when its lithium battery is fully charged. The car is eligible for a federal tax credit.

“The story of Jacob’s House is one of inspiration, compassion and hope. We are honored to be able to take part in helping to one day open the doors of Jacob’s House in the Temecula Valley,” says Terry Gilmore, owner of Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac.

Jacob's House aims to be a refuge for families and loved ones of those going through traumatic medical crises.

Once built, Jacob's House will provide a place of hope, comfort, peace and inspiration for people in the community hit with tragic events by providing emotional and spiritual support. Currently, there is no such facility in the Temecula Valley, Brown said.

The nonprofit was created by Shawn Nelson, Temecula's city manager, after his son, Jacob, died in a car crash.

He plans to retire from his job at the city, and one of the reasons is to spend more time on the nonprofit, Nelson said.