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Fifty fully vaccinated members of the Georgia State community recently won $1,000 in the university’s first vaccine raffle, a thank you to faculty, staff and students for getting vaccinated.
The winners, 35 students and 15 faculty and staff, were chosen randomly from more than 8,400 entries on Oct. 8. Georgia State will hold two additional raffles and name another 25 winners Oct. 15 and 25 more on Nov. 1.
Current faculty, staff and students can register here: https://covidinfo.gsu.edu/incentives/. If you have already registered, you do not need to re-enter for future drawings. The Office of Institutional Research will use existing and new entries in their randomized selection.
Taylor White, an assistant housing director in University Commons, said she was thrilled to win.
“I was like a kid who was just told they could stay up past bedtime, filled with joy,” she said. “I'm still shocked I won as I say this, and will probably still be in shock after I receive the prize money.”
White said she decided to get vaccinated so she could travel, and go to the grocery store and work without anxiety.
“I want to be able to go home without having to worry that I'm bringing anything back to my family, as my mother was diagnosed with lupus last summer, and my father has a long list of high-risk medical issues,” she said. “I got vaccinated because I want to go back to living life without constant fear."
Georgia State senior Amber Russ, a psychology major, said it feels “spectacular” to be chosen as one of the first winners.
“Originally, I got vaccinated because I wanted to ensure my safety and the safety of those around me,” she said. “In addition, it feels great to know that I’m doing my part.”
Student Aleeisha Carr said she got vaccinated to protect her family.
“After hesitation and fear, I decided to get vaccinated because I am still blessed to have grandparents in my life, and I would have been devastated if my lack of care would have contributed to bringing the virus to any of my family members,” she said. “Thankfully, I was able to spend some of the last moments with my grandfather before he transitioned a few months ago. Time is precious.
“I am so grateful to be a raffle winner,” she said. “This gift arrived just in time for the holidays. I thank Georgia State for assisting me in my educational goals and keeping us all safe.”
Anthony Greer, a support specialist in Instructional Innovation & Technology, said the choice to get the vaccine was easy.
“I made the choice to get the vaccine to do what I can to protect my elderly parents who I was helping to care for during the height of the pandemic,” he said. “It was the right choice, no regrets.”
In addition to entering the raffle, Georgia State students, faculty and staff can also receive an e-gift card for $50, good for redemption at any of a number of retailers, for each vaccine dose they receive on campus.
When receiving your shot, scan your PantherCard to receive an email with your unique Giftogram code. Visit Giftogram.com/redeem to enter the code and redeem your gift amount.