To the Editor:

For over 30 years, the Newtown Lions have raffled off a vintage Mustang. The event has become a staple of our region. While many ticket buyers joke that we raffle the same car year after year, rest assured that over 30 winners have won a Lions-raffled Mustang convertible — and we have the photos to prove it!

This year, as with so many events in our lives, the COVID-19 crisis has made the selling of car-raffle tickets far more difficult. Our usual carnivals, fairs, flea markets, and parades have been scrapped — and understandably so. Even our iconic Newtown Labor Day Parade has been canceled until safer times.

The Newtown Lions have two principal fund raisers each year: our Duck Race, which we canceled due to the ongoing virus situation and in order to comply with state mandates, and our Mustang raffle; however, rather than postpone the Mustang raffle until next year, we decided to go forward with it. Why? Because over 70 charities and service organizations depend on the Lions to help them help others in our community and region. These organizations include Ability Beyond, Resiliency Center of Newtown, Everwonder Museum, FAITH Food Pantry, Kevin’s Community Center, Newtown Ambulance Core, Newtown Volunteer Fire Companies, Newtown Senior Center, Regional Hospice, Fidelco Guide Dog Organization, Healing the Children Northeast, and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Our car raffle continues through October 17th. At 1 pm on that day, albeit with less fanfare than our usual ticket drawing, one lucky ticket holder will be the recipient of a beautiful 1966 fire-engine red Mustang convertible with a red and cream pony interior. As usual, our ticket price remains the same: $10 for one — or the Lions discount (ahem) of two for $20.

Not surprisingly, try as we might, we have sold only about one-fifth the tickets we usually have up to this point in our selling season. If there was ever a year to take a chance on winning our Mustang, this is it! We ask you to consider purchasing tickets online by visiting our website, newtownlions.org, or, if you prefer your tickets delivered to you, call me (203-707-7137). I’ll make sure you get as many as you like.

The Newtown Lions are proud to serve. We wish you and your loved ones good health and safety.

Oscar De Los Santos

President, Newtown Lions

8 Mount Pleasant Terrace, Newtown September 2, 2020