Anita Shaffer, Shamokin, recently took delivery of a brand new Ford Mustang Coupe, that she won in the Sunbury Fire Department annual Mustang Raffle. For the past four years, the Sunbury Fire Department, street fair committee has raffled off a new Mustang as part of its annual fund-raising efforts. The Firemen's Street Fair, a one-day event which was held May 14, raises money that is divided equally among the city's six fire stations and fire police. The day's activities included food and games for kids, a firemen's parade and a fire-fighter challenge. At 7 p.m. the lucky ticket for the car was drawn. This year's winner was Anita Shaffer. "I can't believe I won," she said. I bought the ticket to support the fire companies. "I never dreamed I would win."
Dan Saxton, past fire chief and treasurer of the fair committee, said that there were only 350 tickets sold at $100 each. "Our goal is to raise $10,000 on the raffle," Saxton said. That money is then combined with the proceeds from the days activities and given back to the companies. Each year since starting the raffle, they have sold every ticket. "You just can't beat those odds," Saxton said, "and each year we add to our data base." Past ticket holders will receive a postcard and entry form in the mail at the start of the raffle, usually in late November for the drawing the following year. Those wishing to get their ticket should enter early.
Sunbury Motor Company, North 4th Street, Sunbury, furnishes the vehicle at dealer cost to the Fire Department. "They've been real good to us," Saxton says. "I go see them in early November and we sit down and spec out the car. It's always a Mustang. They get us the car and let us promote it the way we see fit. They're great to work with."
Anyone wishing to be part of the Mustang Raffle next year should call Dan Saxton at 274-5010, or go to www.sfdmustangraffle.com, and print the entry form when it becomes available sometime in November.