BRADENTON, Fla., Dec. 19, 2001 –– Santa Claus is coming to Florida a little early this year to deliver a new minivan to a very special mother.

Valencia Raymond, a Palmetto mother of four, will be in Bradenton today at Gettle Kia (6423 14th St. West) to receive the keys to a Kia Sedona minivan. Raymond was a guest on “The Maury Show” in November and, in a surprise presentation, was told by host Maury Povich and a Kia representative that she would be getting a brand new car when she got home to Florida.

Raymond suffers from lymphedema, a rare condition in her leg that causes extreme swelling and blockage due to an obstruction of the lymph system. Because of the physical limitations of her condition, Raymond has difficulty riding in standard-sized cars and has been without a vehicle of her own for six months. She relies on the assistance of friends and family for transportation and the help of her 15-year-old daughter, who has often missed school to care for her mother.

“This minivan means so much to me and my family,” Raymond said. “It will allow me to be more independent and not have to rely on my children or my friends to get me around.”

Raymond’s condition inhibits her mobility and, in the past, has often prevented her from attending activities such as her son’s football games and her oldest daughter’s high school graduation. The new Sedona will allow her to watch comfortably from the sidelines, as well as run her errands without having to depend on others.

Brett Meyers, Kia’s district sales manager, will be at Gettle Kia to present the keys to Raymond at 3:30 p.m. today.

“Valencia is a very deserving person, and it makes everyone at Kia feel good to be able to do something like this,” Meyers said. “We admire her determination and the sacrifices her children have made to take care of her. We hope this Sedona makes their lives a bit easier.”

Kia Motors America is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea. For more information on Kia, visit kiamedia.com.

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