The Ceres Chamber of Commerce embarked on a contest at the beginning of the year to giveaway a 2016 Ford F-150 Crew Cab 4X4 Truck, but due to a shortfall in ticket sales the Chamber's Board of Directors officially called off the contest at its Nov. 17 meeting.

"We want to thank everyone who purchased a ticket in our fundraising efforts, but the participation we needed to carry out the contest just wasn't enough," said Renee Ledbetter, president of the Ceres Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber sent an email to contest ticket holders on Friday informing them that the contest was cancelled. The rules of the contest, found on the Chamber's website and on the back of the tickets, stated that the drawing would be postponed until all tickets were sold. The Chamber intended to cancel the contest earlier this month but enough board members, constituting a quorum, were not present at its Nov. 3 meeting to officially take action.

Despite several marketing efforts and showcasing the truck at various ticket stops and community festivals throughout the year, the Chamber fell short of its goal to sell 650 tickets valued at $100.00 each. The giveaway had a prize valued at $45,000 and revenues made above that amount would have been placed in the Chamber coffers to support future community programs and scholarships for Ceres students.

"We are disappointed ticket sales were not healthier and we are sorry for any inconvenience to ticket holders," said Ledbetter. "We also want to recognize and thank Charlie Fernandes of Country Ford Trucks and Jeff LeBeouf of E.R. Vine Fuels for their participation and support in this giveaway. Again we're sorry we couldn't bring the contest to fruition."

The Chamber's office manager will work with the organization's accountant to process and refund checks to all contest participants within the next 60 days.