Joe Datchuk of Girard talks after winning $15,000 in the annual car drawing held at Greenwood Chevrolet in Austintown which benefits United Way of TC and MC.

AUSTINTOWN — After nine other keys did not work Wednesday in starting a 2020 Chevrolet Trax, Girard resident Joe Datchuk, who was the last of 10 finalists for the Extra Mile Giveaway at Greenwood Chevrolet in Austintown, knew the remaining key was the winning one.

Datchuk, who has worked since last summer at 717 Credit Union in Warren, won the contest that benefits the United Way of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley and the United Way of Trumbull County.

Datchuk had the choice of the car or $15,000 and he chose the cash.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the 11th annual event that normally draws a large crowd was held virtually with the 10 finalists — five from each county — watching from home as Bob Hannon, executive director of the United Way of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley, and Ginny Pasha, director of the United Way of Trumbull County, tried to start the Trax with 10 different keys the contestants could select from.

“It was unreal when I realized I had won. I think it’s great that such a great organization like the United Way benefits from this,” Datchuk said.

Pasha said while Datchuk is taking home the prize, “it is the community who is the winner with the public’s continued support.”

Hannon said not everyone could walk away with a new vehicle or $15,000, “but the real winner is the United Way.”

Greg Greenwood, owner of Greenwood Chevrolet, said, “It is important that the United Way be able to continue to provide to the recipient agencies who provide critical services to the most vulnerable community members.”

He said most of the finalists come from workplace campaigns that help the United Way, with 717 Credit Union among the bigger supporters of the organization.

“717 really promotes bettering the community and giving back. It goes to a good cause,” Datchuk said.

This was the first time Datchuk was a finalist.

Because the fundraiser was prerecorded and broadcast on WYTV-33, Datchuk said he and his wife, Emily, knew ahead of time he was the winner so he could be at the car dealership Wednesday afternoon.

“My aunts and uncles and coworkers did not know and watched it today to see who won. I kept it tight lipped,” he said.

He said he chose the cash because he already has a car for their three children under age 5.

Greenwood said the vehicle was selected for the drawing this year by himself and his staff right after reopening after the coronavirus shutdown.

“A vehicle is very important to the United Way’s campaign. They felt this was a very important year to not miss the event. We found a good looking Trax,” he said.

Pasha said she tried five keys, including Datchuk’s, and admitted she was a little nervous.

“Bob and I have never had the opportunity to do the keys before. It is usually the finalists. We tried all those keys, and it ended up being the last one. There was so much suspense. Even my stomach was fluttering,” she said.

Datchuk said waiting for nine keys was a nerve wracking and if he had not been the last finalist, he would not have picked that key.

“I was planning to pick key three because we have three kids. I lucked out being last because nine was not the number I would have picked. If I had to pick, I would have picked the wrong one,” Datchuk said.

He said his family will be ecstatic with the $15,000, and he is glad he knows what he donates to United Way stays locally.

“You can see how it betters the people in the community you work and live in,” he said.