By RACHEL HARRIS

DESTREHAN – A normal day at work brought much excitement to a Norco woman who was surprised with the keys to a 2002 Chevrolet Venture minivan, valued at more than $21,000.

Christy Meyer, a Winn-Dixie employee for three years and mother of two small children, ages three and almost two, won the van through a store associate promotion program.

“I’ve never won anything in my life,” Meyer said as she was handed the keys. “I’ve always worked for everything I have. This is the biggest present I’ve ever gotten.”

Meyer’s name was selected from a lottery for using the new Customer Reward Card in a pilot program to test the card with employees, Winn-Dixie Senior Director of Consumer and Marketing Services Joann Gage said. Gage said the cards were introduced to associates from June 13-25, two weeks before they were given to customers so the associates could learn the discounts and get used to seeing the card savings on receipts.

Division President Mike Istre announced the winner Thursday at the Destrehan store on Airline Highway. He handed her the keys after making a small presentation over the store’s public address system. All she had to do was sign the papers, Moore said. Everything was taken care of. Winn-Dixie covered all taxes, title, and licensing for the van.

Screams and shrieks filled the store and the other associates ran to Meyer to great and congratulate her.

Store Manager Robin Lewis described Meyer as a wonderful employee who is always at work and always has a smile on her face.

“Christy is a good person. She’s a good worker and deserves it,” Winn Dixie employee Joann Jones said.

Associate Deborah Adams said, “It couldn’t have happened to a better person.”

The van was given to Meyer, who is one of 15,000 employees in the 150-store division. Human Resources Director Scott Moore said giving the prize is an important part of customer service because the associates deal directly with the customers on a daily basis.