Sioux Falls resident Steven Pfeiffer got the surprise of the summer—and it all started with a phone call he almost didn’t answer.
It was an ordinary Sunday evening for Steven and his wife. They were relaxing on the couch, winding down from the day, when his phone started to ring. He didn’t recognize the number, so he let it go to voicemail. When it immediately rang again, Steven figured it might be something important.
“At first, I thought it was a spam call,” said Steven. “But when the same number called back, I figured I should answer.”
Meanwhile, CHS donors, volunteers and staff gathered for the 30th annual Caring For The Kids (CFTK) celebration—a beautiful night filled with laughter, touching moments, generosity and unforgettable memories.
Guests bid on silent auction packages, made dreams come true at the Wish Wall, posed for photos at the photo booth and eagerly watched the live auction unfold. The night ended with the highly anticipated car raffle drawing for a 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness, generously donated by Schulte Subaru. With 600 raffle tickets sold, one lucky winner was going to take home the new car.
Schulte Subaru General Manager Jason Hanson took the stage to announce the winner, but when no one came forward, he grabbed his phone and started dialing.
The phone rang four times, with no answer. Not wanting to give up, Jason decided to try again. On the second ring, a muffled “Hello?” echoed through the speakers. As the crowd erupted in cheers, Jason shared the news with the new winner. “Is this Steven Pfeiffer? Because you just won a brand-new car!”
Enjoy this short video of Jason calling Steven from stage.
Steven was stunned and delighted by the news! He had been purchasing car raffle tickets as a birthday gift for his wife for the past few years—and never imagined he’d actually win.
A few weeks after CFTK, Steven visited Schulte Subaru to sign the paperwork and pick up his new ride. Director of Events and Volunteer Management Erica Krohn greeted him, and the Schulte team made the moment extra special. They hid the car in the back garage, topped it with a giant red bow and huddled around the car waiting for the big reveal.
When the door opened and the sunlight hit the car, Steven’s face lit up with joy! He was speechless, and he couldn’t wait to drive off into the sunset in his brand-new red Subaru.