Dow Now winner helps Kistler Treatment Center

Patti Pinter had a feeling the Dow Jones Industrial Average would tick a little higher during the third quarter. The value of her hunch ticked her cash position higher by $150, and it also garnered $150 for the Gregory Kistler Treatment Center.

Pinter, a substitute teacher in the Fort Smith Public School System, is the winner of the third quarter “Where’s the Dow Now?” contest. She guessed that the DJIA would close on Sept. 28 at 13,485, and she was only 48 points off when the quarter closed out at 13,437.13.

Sponsored by Arvest Bank and managed by The City Wire, “Where’s the Dow Now?” provides the chance to prognosticate on the quarterly direction of the stock market and possibly win a little cash and support a favorite charity.

Pinter said she has been putting money back to help with her 15-year-old son’s upcoming trip to New York City. He’s a member of the Southside Choir, and they will travel to the City in the Spring. However, the Dow Now money might just be “me money,” Pinter said with a laugh.

“I might use this to buy work-out clothes,” she said.

But she was serious about her charity selection. The Kistler Center helped two of her children in their early developmental years.

The Kistler center provides rehabilitative services for children in the Arkansas River Valley area regardless of the family's financial means. Parents and family members also receive support from a community environment built around the camaraderie of caregivers, therapists and other families in the same situation. The center offers physical, occupational and speech therapy to children with special needs.

Ralph Smith, board chairman for the Kistler Center, said the $150 will be put to immediate use.

“It will go in our general operations fund. … It’s going to pay for several therapy sessions for children who have no other means,” Smith said.

Smith said with the slow economy, every dollar is important to non-profit operations like the Kistler Center.

Jennifer Caldwell, a marketing specialist with Arvest, said bank likes to market itself in a way that also helps a community.

“We love being involved in the community, and this is a great sponsorship for us because it allows us to give back,” Caldwell said.

ENTER THE CONTEST
The concept is simple. To enter the fourth quarter contest, simply provide the closest guess as to the Dec. 28 closing number of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and you could be $150 richer and the charity of your choice will also collect $150.

At the end of each fiscal quarter, we profile the person with the winning entry AND the associated charity.

To enter, complete the form no later than 5 p.m. (CST) by Nov. 16 — and only one entry per person, please. Link here to enter.

The charity chosen must be a 501c3 non-profit in good standing with the IRS and the Better Business Bureau. The City Wire reserves the right to request the contestant change their charitable selection.