When local woman Marge DeVivo needed a new car, she thought giving business to a dealership that donated two cars to a local charity event was the right thing to do.

When local woman Marge DeVivo needed a new car, she thought giving business to a dealership that donated two cars to a local charity event was the right thing to do.

DeVivo’s new to the area. She left Wahoo, Neb., in July of this year to escape the humidity, pollen and other allergens that confined her 11-year-old son to his home.

The Realtor who helped DeVivo find her new home in Cottonwood owns a Toyota Prius, and when DeVivo took a test drive, she knew she wanted one too, she said.

She ditched her old car before leaving Nebraska and flew in with plans to buy a new Prius, but she had no idea where.

After learning that Tim’s Toyota in Prescott had donated a 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid and a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid to the 2007 Sedona Miracle, a fundraiser which will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Arizona, Verde Valley Sanctuary and other local nonprofits, DeVivo chose to buy from them, she said.

“That was my major motivation; buying from them so that it would also support the charities,” DeVivo said.

“We think it’s a great charity and it puts the money straight back into the community,” said Mike Dennis, general manager of Tim’s Toyota.

Bob Raz, a Tim’s Toyota salesman, special ordered the car for DeVivo. He picked her up at the airport and lent her a minivan while the Prius was on order, and she was really happy when it came in, he said.

Less than a week later, DeVivo already had more than 500 miles on her new car. She’s pleased with it and even more pleased that her purchase acknowledges a charitable act, DeVivo said.

Along with the car, DeVivo was given eight golf balls designated for the 2007 Sedona Miracle Ball Drop. On Saturday, Sept. 15, a helicopter will drop DeVivo’s eight balls along with thousands of others onto a green at Oakcreek Country Club in the Village of Oak Creek.

With a lot of luck, one of her eight balls will make it into the hole and she’ll win another car. But with every golf ball that’s purchased, her chances decrease and, according to Wib Middleton, a spokesman for the 2007 Sedona Miracle, balls are still available for “the drop.”

To purchase golf balls or to learn more about the 2007 Sedona Miracle, call 282-5057 or visit www.SedonaMiracle.com.

Tyler Midkiff can be reached at 282-7795, Ext. 122, or e-mail to tmidkiff@larsonnewspapers.com