Local woman’s luck changes with ThunderCloud Art Contest win

Following two years of misfortune, local woman wins ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot Art Contest

 A year’s worth of ThunderCloud Subs is the grand prize

AUSTIN—Terri Caldwell Bennett, winner of the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot Art Contest, hasn’t always been this lucky. Her home was destroyed in 2012, and she and her family have experienced a string of misfortunes since. Her luck changed this week when ThunderCloud Subs presented with the grand prize: 365 free sub vouchers.

The ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot Art Contest is the competition to design the logo for the popular Thanksgiving Day tradition, which celebrates 24 years in 2014. In addition to receiving free ThunderCloud subs for a year, Bennett will see her artwork displayed on 20,000 Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot T-shirts, as well as countless posters, social media posts, and advertisements.

Bennett has painted and drawn as a hobby since she was 3 years old. She says she is “an artist in her soul”, but was too shy to show off her work until recently, after receiving encouragement from her husband.

“I never thought I’d actually win the Art Contest. I feel really lucky—and grateful—that we can eat at ThunderCloud for free for the next year,” says Bennett. Rewind to two years ago, and Bennett would have been described as anything but lucky.

In 2012, Bennett’s family’s newly-remodeled Northeast Austin home was devastated by a tornado that tore off the roof and flooded the entire house. The insurance money they received to rebuild the home was stolen by an unethical contractor. Since their misfortune, the resilient Bennetts have been saving every penny possible to restore their cherished home.

The Benetts frequent the ThunderCloud Subs store at the intersection of U.S. 290 and I-35 in North Austin. Bennett’s 13-year-old daughter loves the Veggie Delite sub, and the Roast Beef and Avocado sub is her husband’s favorite.

Regarding her unique design for the 2014 ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot: “Austin is a T-shirt culture, and I wanted to create a design that people would be able to wear year-round. I shop at local thrift stores, and I came across a vintage rock band T-shirt that inspired me. I designed the logo to have a wood-carved, retro look,” Bennett says.

“The ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot is all about engaging the entire community, and the Art Contest kicks that off every year,” says Mike Haggerty, co-owner of ThunderCloud Subs. “It’s inspiring to hear the winners’ stories and find out how they’re connected with ThunderCloud.” The number of artwork submissions has more than doubled since the competition began in 2010.

“We don’t think a more deserving person could have won this year. Terri’s logo is different than any of the other ones we’ve had in the past, and we’re excited about the fresh, unique look,” says Haggerty.

The Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot takes place on Thanksgiving Day and includes a five-mile run, one-mile walk, and a Kids’ K that all take place outside the Long Center for the Performing Arts. One hundred percent of the proceeds benefit Caritas of Austin, a local charity that supports Austin’s working poor and homeless people. ThunderCloud has raised more than $2 million for Caritas since the event began in 1991.

For real-time updates on ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot news, like the Facebook page, and connect with ThunderCloud Subs on Twitter and Instagram, @TCloudSubs. To join the online conversation, use #TCloudTrot. For more information or to register for the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot, visit www.thundercloud.com.

 ###

 About ThunderCloud Subs

 Since 1975,ThunderCloud Subs has been Austin’s original neighborhood sub shop, with a rich tradition of serving fresh, fast, and healthy food in a comfortable atmosphere. ThunderCloud operates 29 locations in Central Texas and sold 3 million sub sandwiches in 2013. ThunderCloud Subs received the Restaurant Neighbor Award from the Texas Restaurant Association in 2014 for its outstanding charitable service and dedication to the community. For more information, visit www.thundercloud.com or call 512-479-8805.