Since 2009, I-5 Toyota — part of the I-5 Cars auto group — has raffled off a vehicle every year with ticket sales benefiting Lewis County youth sports, according to I-5 Cars Vice President Robert Pehl.
The auto group unveiled the 2024 raffle prize vehicle at its Valentine’s Wine Mixer event held at the Chehalis-based Toyota dealership on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
This year’s raffle prize will be a 2022 Ford Maverick with a custom wrap job, roof rack, LED light bar and aftermarket tires and rims.
The drawing for the truck will be held at the annual Battle of the Swamp football game between the Centralia and W.F. West high schools this October.
“With the wine mixer, I think my mom started in 2009, 2010, so it’s been going on for about 12 or 13 years,” Pehl said. “The thing we’re so happy about with the raffle car is what it does for our local youth sports league and youth clubs, anything that kids are into, they can go sell the raffle tickets. There’s a Little League team here tonight doing that, and they keep 100% of the proceeds for the tickets for their cause.”
Throughout the night, members of the Lewis County Closers select Little League team were at the wine mixer selling some of the first raffle tickets for this year’s prize.
While he didn’t know the exact total of money raised with all the raffles throughout the years, Pehl said they had raised over $1 million as of 2022.
For those who weren’t able to make it to the wine mixer to buy tickets, plenty more opportunities will be available at local events such as the Southwest Washington Fair, the Hub City Car Show and more.
Additionally, those looking to purchase raffle tickets can reach out to I-5 Toyota for contact information for groups and organizations that are selling the tickets.
“We do allow organizations who have signed up to sell raffle tickets to come check out the car temporarily to bring it with them to events to help sell tickets as well,” Pehl said.
Anyone involved in selling raffle tickets can contact I-5 Toyota for more information on how to check out the 2022 Ford Maverick for their events.
Aside from the raffle vehicle being unveiled Wednesday, both a silent and live auction were held, with proceeds going toward the I-5 Toyota scholarship fund.
“Heidi (Pehl) started that over a decade ago as well, if not longer, and that goes toward local students in the area who can apply for it,” Pehl said. “... There’s usually a pretty big applicant pool, and that’s something Heidi has always believed in, education and empowerment through education. She’s always been a huge supporter of education for the youth.”
Each year, between 20 and 30 students are awarded scholarships, and with the I-5 Auto Group even reaching up to Olympia, some applicants from Thurston County compete for the scholarships as well, Pehl added.
For more information on the raffle, including where to purchase tickets, visit I-5 Toyota at 1950 NW Louisiana Ave. in Chehalis to talk to customer service representatives, or call the dealership at 360-740-9300.
To learn more about the I-5 Cars auto group, visit https://www.i-5cars.com/.
