Eastern Wayne Today

Wayne State University issued the following announcement on July 15.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in the “MI Shot To Win Sweepstakes,’ to increase COVID-19 vaccinations among Michiganders. The lottery-style raffle will give fully vaccinated residents a chance to win more than $5 million in cash and other prizes.

The sweepstakes began July 1 and ends August 3, 2021, with the goal of increasing the state’s vaccination rate by roughly 9%  — or approximately 767,000 Michiganders  — to achieve the statewide goal of 70% of residents age 16 and older who are immunized. Under Michigan’s new giveaway, residents age 18 and older who have received at least one dose of vaccine are eligible.

“This sweepstakes gives every Michigander who’s been vaccinated a shot to win cash and college scholarships,” Whitmer said. “It’s also a great way to encourage more Michiganders to get the safe and effective vaccine so you can protect yourself, your family, and help get life back to normal. If we all roll up our sleeves and do our part, we can all win big. Let’s get to work!”

While there has been much progress and COVID-19 numbers continue to decline, the best way to ensure a safe return to normal activities  — including a vibrant, in-person fall semester on campus  — is for as many members of the campus community as possible to get their COVID-19 vaccine.

“Like many of you, I am excited for campus to return to its former vibrancy and to greet friends and colleagues unmasked and in-person,” said President M. Roy Wilson. “Vaccination is a critical step toward our safe return to normalcy.  While we urge all students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated for the health and safety of themselves and our community, we hope that this state program will show appreciation for those who are already vaccinated and encourage those who still need to be vaccinated.”

Vaccination rates will play a critical role in fall planning, and all members of the campus community are encouraged to complete a brief survey about their vaccination status. A virtual town hall event on Monday, July 19 will provide further information about the fall semester and answer questions from the Wayne State community.

Those seeking to get vaccinated can schedule an appointment at the Campus Health Center — which now offers a choice of the Pfizer, Moderna, or single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines — or find another convenient location. 

Michigan’s sweepstakes giveaway is powered by Meijer in partnership with the Michigan Association of United Ways and the State of Michigan. The statewide vaccine lottery is supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Association of State Universities, Small Business Association of Michigan, Business Leaders of Michigan, the Protect Michigan Commission and many more organizations.

Michiganders can qualify to enter the sweepstakes by getting vaccinated for COVID-19 at Meijer or receiving their shot from their doctor, local health department, pharmacy, hospital, etc. The MI Shot To Win Sweepstakes giveaways include:

• $1 million drawing  — there is one (1) $1M drawing prize for Michiganders age 18 and older consisting of $1 million awarded as a check or electronic transfer to the confirmed winner.
• $50,000 daily drawings  — there are thirty (30) $50,000 daily drawing prizes available for Michiganders age 18 and older, each consisting of $50,000 awarded as a check or electronic transfer to the confirmed winners.
• $2 million drawing  — there is one (1) $2 million drawing prize for Michiganders age 18 and older consisting of $2 million awarded as a check or electronic transfer to the confirmed winner.
• Scholarship drawing  — there are nine (9) scholarship drawing prizes available for Michiganders between ages 12 to 17. Each scholarship drawing prize consists of a four-year Michigan Education Trust (MET) Charitable Tuition Program contract (valued at $55,000) that may be used to pay for tuition and mandatory fees at a college or university in accordance with MET terms and conditions

Original source can be found here.