When Reid Wiebler of Davenport played the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) harvest game in late September, he never dreamed that he would be the grand prize winner and take home $10,000 — $5,000 for himself and $5,000 for Assumption High School.
The Idaho Potato Harvest Game sweepstakes was launched on Sept. 15 to help celebrate the 2009 Idaho potato harvest and educate consumers of all ages on how a potato grows.
According to a press release from the IPC, game participants watched a short, animated video hosted by the IPC mascot, Spuddy Buddy, who told the Idaho potato harvest story. After the video, participants were asked to play a short memory game.
Wiebler found out about the contest through his mom, who found it online.
“I cannot tell you how excited I was to hear that Reid had won the Idaho Potato Commission’s harvest game sweepstakes and the $10,000. We are so thankful that he had designated Assumption Catholic High School as the recipient of the $5,000 split,” Assumption Principal Chuck Elbert said.
“The Wieblers’ generosity is just one of the many examples of support that we are so blessed to receive from the families and friends of Assumption and we will now add the Idaho Potato Commission to our list of benefactors,” Elbert added. “The timing could not be more perfect as some of our families are struggling to make ends meet and this money added to our tuition aid assistance program will help make it easier for a number of those families to continue their education at Assumption. Thank you to Reid and to the Idaho Potato Commission!”
Reid is one in a family of six children who have attended Assumption High School. He said he loves Assumption because it is small and he receives a strong academic education, which is balanced with spiritual studies.
“I was really happy to win $5,000 for Assumption. It is a great school with really good teachers and students who care about their future,” he said.
The Idaho Potato Commission is a state agency that is primarily responsible for expanding the markets for Idaho-grown potatoes through advertising, promotion and research.