Art Van Furniture capped off a year of 50th Anniversary celebrations last night with the “Michigan Legends Charity Concert”, pairing three 50 year old legends: Art Van Furniture, Motown and the 1959 Corvette. Over 600 people attended the concert hosted by Chairman and Founder Art Van Elslander and radio personality Dick Purtan. Motown acts performing included The Original Vandellas (“Heat Wave”), the Miracles (“Ooo Baby Baby”) and the Contours (“Do You Love Me”).

The highlight of the event was the announcement of the winner of the fully restored 1959 red Corvette convertible. More than 541,000 entries were received between June and October from Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Ten semi-finalists were drawn and invited to the concert, and the winner was selected from a live drawing: Tracie Sears from Traverse City took the stage and sat behind the wheel of her dream car. “I never dreamed I’d actually win! My husband Todd and I drove down from Traverse City to see the concert, but I never expected to hear my name called as the winner!” said Tracie. Todd and Tracie are the parents of two children, aged 7 and 9.

Bob McQueen, Store Manager of the Traverse City Art Van Furniture store, commented “Tracie is a lucky woman. She came in for an event earlier this year and helped her children’s school win a $1000 donation. At that event, she learned about the Corvette contest, and now, she’s won that too!” The 1959 Corvette is being delivered to the winners on Friday, during a celebration at the Art Van store in Traverse City. All are invited to the party at 4pm to congratulate Tracie and her family.

“Art Van, Motown and the Corvette have stood the test of time to become symbols of Michigan pride,” said Art Van Elslander. “Our state has a long tradition of great hard working people, innovation and leadership. Tonight was a celebration, and particularly nice for me to hand over this beautiful car to such a wonderful young family. Tonight was also about raising money and awareness for Gleaners Community Food Bank, which helps so many families in need throughout Michigan.”

The event was underwritten by Art Van, and all proceeds were donated to Gleaners Community Food Bank. To continue its support of Gleaners, Art Van is collecting canned goods through December 11th at any Southeast Michigan Art Van store. Art Van is also collecting toys as part of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program at showrooms throughout Michigan. Customers can create a special Christmas for a child in need by donating a new, unwrapped toy. Toys will be delivered to local children by Christmas Day. No toy guns, please.

“This is part of our 50-year tradition of giving back to the community,” added Art Van Elslander. “We want to benefit the communities we work and serve in today as well as future generations.”

At the concert, guests enjoyed a delicious Corvette-shaped birthday cake, browsed other vintage Corvettes on display from the Michigan Corvette Club, and danced to the great sounds of Motown. All three Motown groups mingled with guests and autographed CDs and photos. The Warren Art Van store was redesigned for the evening into a ‘50’s style theater with mirror balls suspended from the ceiling.