Chris Slabaugh/For the Appeal Kim Riggs,left, and her mother, Patricia Riggs, sit in the 2007 Ford Edge Kim Riggs received Friday at Capital Ford in the Bold Moves: Edge Across America Sweepstakes.
A student shows up for school in size 61Ú2 shoes. His measure an 8. A 16-year-old homeless girl is invited to the prom but has no dress. An 8-year-old boy wants to play soccer but can't afford cleats or a ball.
Each of these children, and countless more, were helped by Kim Riggs, who served as the homeless advocate for the Carson City School District for eight years.
But Kim, her mother says, is uncomfortable in the spotlight. So when Patricia Riggs entered her daughter in the Bold Moves: Edge Across America Sweepstakes, she didn't say anything.
The contest, sponsored by Ford and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," honors "individuals across America who have bold, motivating success stories to tell," according to the Web site. A winner was selected from each state, as well as an overall winner.
"I didn't even tell Kim about it because she never likes to brag about herself," Patricia said. "But I'm so proud of her."
Patricia couldn't keep her secret long, however, as Kim was selected out of 150 applicants as Nevada's winner.
On Friday, she was presented with a 2007 Ford Edge at Capital Ford, owned by Dick Campagni.
"I still can't believe it's true," she said. "I'm shaking."
She remained reluctant to taking the credit.
"I think there's a lot of people in Nevada who should be recognized," she explained. "Look at Dick Campagni alone and how many cars he's donated. But I do feel blessed my mom's that proud of me."
Kim, who left the school district to take a job with the Division of Child and Family Services, was allowed to select any model from the dealership up to $35,000.
As soon as she saw the Edge, it began raining so hard, she couldn't get a good look.
"It's Italian good luck when it starts to rain," Elaine Winthrop, the dealership's inventory control manager told her. "It's God looking down saying, 'This is good.'"
Kim chose it. But, after taking it for a test drive on Friday, she still wasn't sure how it drove.
"I was shaking too much," she said.
Ford also sent her a $10,000 check to cover insurance, registration and other costs.
"It's been nice to be a part of a blessing for somebody," said Capital Ford General Manager Tim Milligan. "And who better? She's done a lot of great things and asked nothing in return."
Kim plans to give her Passat to her sons Kyle and Nick. Her daughter, McKenna, doesn't have her driver's license yet.
Patricia attended the ceremony, riding shotgun for the first drive.
"It's one of the highlights of my life so far to have my daughter receive recognition for all she does," she said.
• Contact reporter Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1272.
On the Net
To learn more about the contest, go to:
www.edgeacrossamerica.com
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