LAKEVILLE-MIDDLEBORO, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dee Lopez, 78, of Lomita, CA; Lara Stanze, 46, of Smithville, MO; and Joe Coyle, 47, of Christiansburg, VA have never met, but they have one thing in common: all three have been selected as finalists to receive Ocean Spray’s Sun-sational Award, an all-expense-paid trip anywhere in the U.S., compliments of Ocean Spray® Cran-Lemonade™ and JetBlue Airways. Fans can vote to send their favorite finalist on a sun-sational summer getaway now through Thursday, July 25 on Ocean Spray’s Facebook page.
“After reading through the many inspirational, uplifting submissions we received, it was hard to imagine we could only choose three finalists,” said Kristen Borsari, director of marketing, Ocean Spray. “Ultimately, we felt these individuals truly exemplified the idea of making every day more sunny. Now it’s America’s choice!”
Lopez, Stanze and Coyle were nominated by their friends, family and colleagues to receive the award because of their dedication to their community and for the ways they spread sunshine to those around them. The three finalists, selected from a pool of more than 1,400 candidates, reflected the uplifting, bright and selfless attitude Ocean Spray was searching for.
Fans can learn more about Lopez, Stanze and Coyle by viewing their stories online at Ocean Spray’s Facebook page, or read on for more details. A winner will be announced on Friday, July 26.
- The School Volunteer (Dee Lopez, Lomita, CA): Retiree Dee spends her days spreading sunshine by serving as a teacher’s aide at the local elementary school in Lomita, CA, volunteering wherever needed – in the cafeteria, kindergarten classrooms or school office. Affectionately known as “Grandma Dee,” she says her biggest mission is to keep the students safe and happy.
- The Dream Maker (Lara Stanze, Smithville, MO): After losing her mother to cancer, Lara founded “Spread a Little Joy.” The local non-profit, named after her mother and inspiration, Joy, brings sunshine to adults with life-threatening illnesses in the Kansas City area by helping to make their dreams come true.
- The Rescue Squad Chief (Joe Coyle, Christiansburg, VA): Joe spreads sunshine in his hometown as the captain of Christiansburg’s local rescue squad. During his tenure he has turned the rescue squad into a first-class operation, improving response times and increasing the number of the squad’s community volunteers.
About Ocean Spray’s Sun-sational Awards
Ocean Spray launched the Sun-sational Awards in May to introduce its new bold, refreshing and uplifting Cran-Lemonade™ Juice Drinks. The new juice drinks are available in both Original and 5-calorie Diet. For more information on Cran-Lemonade™ and to find sun-sational recipes, such as Cran-Lemonade™ Float and Pink Lemon Drop, visit Ocean Spray’s online Kitchen; or one of their social media properties: Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram.
About Ocean Spray
Ocean Spray is a vibrant agricultural cooperative owned by more than 700 cranberry and grapefruit growers in the United States, Canada, and Chile who have helped preserve the family farming way of life for generations. Formed in 1930, Ocean Spray is now the world’s leading producer of cranberry juices, juice drinks and dried cranberries, and is the best-selling brand in the bottled juice category. The cooperative’s cranberries are currently featured in more than 1,000 great-tasting, good-for-you products in over 50 countries worldwide. With more than 2,000 employees and nearly 20 cranberry receiving and processing facilities, Ocean Spray is committed to managing our business in a way that respects our communities, employees and the environment. In fiscal year 2012, Ocean Spray posted record-high gross sales of $2.2 billion and net proceeds of $338 million.
