Operation Santa Claus car giveaway

Today, 10 finalists in the Operation Santa Claus car giveaway converged at the ABC15 studios in Phoenix to see if they would be driving home in a new car from Sanderson Ford, Lincoln and Volvo.

Each finalist received the opportunity because they donated to the Operation Santa Claus drive.  Their names were pulled randomly from all submissions, and each finalist drew a key at random from a stocking on the broadcast of Sonoran Living Live.

As each finalist tried their key, host, Andi Barness said 'you could feel the excitement build as the finalists were eliminated, it was electric!'

But it was finalist number 7, Breeze Heath from Surprise, who ended up with the winning key.

She let out a scream as heard the Ford F-150 start with her husband and kids watching.  

It was an emotional moment for all involved, Heath says her family didn't have much this year, but her children wanted to donate, so they found a way to make it happen.  

Because of that donation, Heath will have a brand new car, her first ever.  Before the family took off to claim their prize, the kids asked if they could get in.  Heath laughed as she told us 'they took off their shoes before they got in.'

This year marks the 10th for Operation Santa Claus, which takes donations for 4 Valley organizations; St. Mary's Food Bank, Operation Home Front, SARRC, and the Tim & Willy Kids Fundation.  You can find out more about each of the organizations and Operation Santa Claus at givetotheclaus.com .