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Bus driver’s tide rises with ‘Babydog’ sweepstakes boat win

By Candice Black 4 min read

PARKERSBURG -- "I never dreamed that I would be down here in a boat today, no way."

Bus driver with the Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority Bruce "Dwayne" Kesterson was met with surprise Thursday afternoon when he came to Point Park and found out he won a fishing boat through the "Do It For Babydog" vaccine sweepstakes.

Gov. Jim Justice and Babydog met with Kesterson and his wife Anita where the governor commended him for the work he does and for getting vaccinated.

"We're so proud of the work you do every day, God bless you in every way," Justice said.

After Justice handed over the keys to the boat, Kesterson thanked him for his commitment to encouraging West Virginians to get vaccinated.

"I just want to thank you for all you have done as far as getting this message out because I agree with you, people getting vaccinated truly is important because it could save a lot of lives. Thank you," Kesterson said.

The Kestersons were vaccinated months before the Babydog sweepstakes kicked off and they both agree it's the best way to combat the spread of COVID.

"I'm glad the governor did this. It's a nice program to get people involved and thinking about getting vaccinated. You could be like me, I'm sitting here in a brand new boat," Kesterson said. "I never dreamed in a million years that I would be in a new boat."

Anita Kesterson expressed her gratitude for winning the boat and for the vaccine availability.

"The vaccine has saved lives. I'm just amazed and I'm so thankful that they came out with the vaccine," she said. "I just would like to see a way out of this if more people would get vaccinated. I think the state has done a wonderful job of trying to make people aware of it. I'm just thankful."

Dwayne Kesterson plans on taking his family members out on the boat to fish. He hasn't been fishing much in recent years but he said the new boat will give him more opportunity.

"I can take my boys and I've got some granddaughters who will love to get out, they'll love to go fishing," he said.

Before hitting the road, Justice complimented the Division of Natural Resources officers who helped bring the boat to Parkersburg.

"Our DNR brought the boat to us and brought it down the river. Thank you guys in every way. God bless you, way to go," he said.

Earlier in the day, Justice visited a few schools and gave out full ride scholarships as part of the vaccination sweepstakes. He said being able to do something for children is "what makes this thing really special."

Justice said one of the recipients of the full ride scholarship was from a family who didn't think they would have the financial ability to send their student to college.

"It just maybe is a coincidence. I believe the definition of a coincidence is an everyday occurrence in which God chooses to remain anonymous," Justice said. "And just maybe, this will be the key that gets them on their way."

During his visit to Point Park, Justice reiterated the importance of getting the COVID vaccine.

"If any of you are here and aren't vaccinated, we respect and absolutely honor your freedoms in any way. Your choice is great with me, but at the same time, I beg you to go get vaccinated. This is some dangerous stuff," he said. "Too many people are dying. So help us if you can and if you choose not to, we're still going to love you in every way and respect (you) and that's how we're going to be, even Babydog."

Candice Black can be reached at cblack@newsandsentinel.com.

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