When Carrie Atkeson, a middle school special education teacher from Laveen, AZ, registered on NEA Member Benefits’ new website, she only intended to log on and browse the new site. Little did she know that her visit would lead to winning NEA Member Benefits’ first grand prize giveaway of $5,000 cash. “I really didn’t visit the site for the giveaway; I just wanted to see the new site. I’ve never entered the giveaway before, so this came as a total surprise,” commented Carrie.

Carrie, who has a master’s degree in education technology, said that once she logged on to NEAMB.com and started clicking around, she found a wealth of resources that could help her family. “There is so much information on the site. At times it can be a little overwhelming, but I found the site very easy to navigate.”

Over 83,000 members registered for the $5,000 grand prize giveaway on NEAMB.com. The contest ran from April to August 2009 and featured bi-weekly giveaways and promotions. Members won prizes ranging from weekend getaways and gift certificates to laptop computers. The giveaways were designed to attract members to the new site and to show NEAMB’s appreciation for members’ dedication to their profession. “We built the new site to provide NEA members with relevant information that will help them in their personal and professional lives. The giveaways are our way of bringing people to the site and thanking them with great prizes and content. We’re excited that the new site has generated so much buzz among members, and we are very happy for Mrs. Atkeson and her family,” said Mark Stevens, Vice President of Professional Solutions and Web Development.

Carrie, a former stay-at-home mom, has been teaching for the past 10 years and says she is passionate about her profession and the students. “I really enjoy my working with my students,” she said. Carrie also acknowledged that the Association has provided her with tremendous support. “It [her local association] has been a great support system for me. I had some difficulties at one of my schools and they [her local association] were there for me.”

Carrie, who has been married for 26 years to a middle/high school band director, is also the mother of three 20-something children. She describes herself as an extremely cost—and money—focused person. “The first thing I did [with the prize money] was pay down my credit card. Then I bought a new computer. It was great, paying down my credit card just before the holidays,” she said enthusiastically.

NEA Member Benefits wanted to make its first grand prize giveaway a special occasion for the winner. Sean Mabey and Ann Smith of NEA Member Benefits worked with the Littleton Education Association President and Uniserv Director to organize a member appreciation event where the $5,000 check was presented to Carrie. “The event was fun and Sean and Ann were really nice people. Everyone seemed to have a really good time,” she commented.

Carrie’s experience is just one example of what can happen when a member visits NEAMB.com. We hope you’ll spend some time exploring the website to see all the services and savings that are available to you as an NEA member—and don’t forget to register for our current giveaway!