East Texas poultry grower wins Workhorse with a little help from his family, friends

September 13, 2001 -- Friends, family and pure determination is what poultry farmer Jerry Parker claims was the driving force that won him a new EZ GO Workhorse in a recent "hands-on" contest.

Parker, of Mount Pleasant, said it wasn't just for fun or to win a new "toy," but the winning prize was something he could really, really use on his poultry farm. Until now, he had an old four-wheeler that was on it's "last leg," but had always come in handy while managing his chicken houses over the last several years.

The opportunity win the prize became apparent to Parker when he had attended an event at a local feed store. The Workhorse and trailer were displayed. With encouragement from a friend, he signed up in a drawing that could make him a contestant in a "hands-on" contest.

The contest, hosted by East Texas Broadcasting Company affiliates Star Country and K-Lake radio stations, gave eight area people the chance to win the Workhorse. The winner was determined by who was the last one to have their hands on the utility vehicle.

"When I found out I was a finalist (in the contest), I told myself right then that I would win," explained Parker.

With seven contestants (one dropped out prior to the event), the contest began on a Wednesday morning around 10 a.m. at Cypress Ford in Mount Pleasant.

Parker, along with the others, would have to stand-up with at least one hand on one of the many radio bumper stickers placed on the Workhorse. No one was allowed to ever lean on the machine, and with the exception of a 10-minute break every three hours, everyone competing could not do anything except stand and touch the workhorse.

To view the contest, and to cheer on the contestants, hundreds of people attended the event.

For Parker, he said he was amazed at the support he received - not only from his wife Barbara and sons Jerod and Jonah, but also from several friends and acquaintances.

"I was real impressed at the helpful response of all my friends," said Parker.

His sons even made a "persuasive poster" for Parker which entailed a variety of "determination" phrases and a few pictures of his old, broken-down four-wheeler.

One friend had prepared somewhat of a "pit crew" by using a time sheet to make sure there was at least one persons present to offer Parker some support, plus provide anything he needed, such as food.

Parker is an active member of the fair association and livestock committee in Titus County and many of those fellow friends and acquaintances, as well as fellow church members, were only part of those who volunteered to help cheer Parker on. Even feed truck drivers who knew or knew of Parker would come at all odd hours of the night and day honking their horn in their own form of support.

"People came at all hours of the day and night," explained Parker. "There were some people that I only partially knew; that had heard my name on the radio and wanted to come and see me."

When Barbara and the boys weren't home taking care of things (fortunately for the Parkers, they did not have chickens at the time), they were up at the contest cheering husband and father on. At each 10-minute break when Barbara was there, she would take off Parker's shoes and socks, wrap his feet in cool rags, then dry them and put a fresh pair of socks on him.

Other things that would help energize Parker were volunteers who would massage his legs and the three- or four-minute "power naps" Parker would take.

"We did all we could to keep him energized, awake, and focused," explained Barbara.

Parker said two of the more difficult things were: reminding himself to never remove his hand and staying awake.

About three days into the contest, the 10-minute breaks were stretched to one every four hours.

Then, a little over 72 hours later, at approximately 10:19 a.m. Saturday, the other contestant walked away and Parker had won the prize.

Parker, and everyone who had supported him, were ecstatic.

After bringing home his prize and after several hours of sleep, Parker said he had recuperated by Sunday morning in time to attend church.

Parker said the Workhorse has certainly come in handy. He uses it everyday on his farm. And not only is Barbara quite proud of the prize herself, but also of her husband.