When Allentown Appliance launched it's "Update What's Outdated" contest to win a new Maytag washing machine, the firm's officials simply saw it as a great way to gain some Facebook followers.

"We regularly run social media contests so we thought this would just be like all the others," said Joseph Schaefer, owner of Allentown Appliance. "We couldn't have predicted that one entry would have such a big impact."

The concept was easy: Simply upload a photo of your old washing machine to the Allentown Appliance Facebook page and you'll be entered to win.

Christine Penyak, a volunteer at The Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Road, Easton, heard about the contest and immediately knew what to do.

"My first thought was the washing machine at the shelter," said Penyak. "It worked, but not very well. It wouldn't fill on its own. We actually had to pour buckets of water into it to do a load."

She entered the contest on behalf of the Easton animal shelter in hopes of replacing the organization's failing washing machine. Penyak posted a photo of her smiling and dumping water into the washing machine with the caption: "This is the washing machine where I volunteer at The Center for Animal Health and Welfare -- my second 'home.'

"Each day, the linens for the 200-plus animals that are waiting for their forever homes need to be cleaned. The washer is old and only drips, so we need to fill it by hand. A new washer will allow the volunteers and staff to spend more time with the animals and not filling up a bottle to pour into the washer.

"The center is a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter that is run on donations. When a new washer is needed it is one that someone generously donates that has usually already seen better days. Please vote for us to win and to help keep the critters clean, warm and healthy with the help of a new washer!"

Penyak's entry received 360 votes and 121 "Likes" on Facebook, the highest amount of any entry in the contest.

As a special surprise for the center and the hundreds of dogs, cats and other animals it serves, Allentown Appliance and Whirlpool decided to also include a matching dryer for the animal shelter and a $300 gift certificate for Penyak.

"We thought it was a worthy cause and also very generous of Christine to put the shelter before herself," said Schaefer. "It made sense to also make the donation of a dryer for the animals and a gift card for Christine's thoughtfulness.

"We are pleased to be able to contribute to such a valuable organization in our community."

On April 9, Schaefer and Whirlpool Regional Sales Director Mitchell Isert and Whirlpool Market Manager Anthony Bartolacci presented the washer, the additional dryer and gift card to Penyak and the Easton Animal Shelter.