Published: May 16, 2008 10:49 pm      

Challenger nears completion

The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 that will be given away on Dec. 22 as part of a fundraiser for the Kokomo Community Christmas Fund is nearly complete.

The vehicle was recently assembled at Chrysler’s Brampton, Ontario, assembly plant. The Challenger is one of the first off the assembly line.

It features a 6.1-Liter Hemi V8 engine, sunroof, Goodyear performance tires and Hemi Orange pearl coat paint with black hood stripes.

For the cost of a $10 raffle ticket, a lucky person could drive away with the Challenger, while at the same time helping a needy family.

Chrysler employees, for the past 10 years, have raised funds to provide Christmas for needy families.

With the reintroduction of the Challenger by the Chrysler LLC this year, the group has obtained one of the rare models for the 2008 raffle.

Each Dodge dealer in the United States will receive one of the first 6,400 cars produced. Mike Anderson Dodge in Marion agreed to sell the group the car at a discounted price.

The winning ticket will be drawn on Dec. 22 at Mike Anderson Dodge.

The funds raised will be placed in an endowment so that interest from the deposited funds can pay for the Community Christmas Fund on an annual basis.

The Christmas Fund provides Christmas for 100 families, providing hats, coats, gloves and shoes for the children along with toys.

A Christmas party is held each year at United Auto Workers Local 685, where every child invited receives one gift from Santa Claus with his or her name on it

Tickets can be purchased by sending a money order or cashier’s check to the committee. It must include a self-addressed stamped envelope. You must be over the age of 18 to purchase a ticket, no personal checks will be accepted.

Tickets can also be purchased online at http://challenger.americasfirstcar.com.

Funds should be mailed to: Community Christmas Fund, P.O. Box 2123, Kokomo, IN. 46904-2123. Checks have to be received by Dec. 1.