Evergreen park foundation offering another vintage VW in this year's raffle

 A sleek 1971 Karmann Ghia named Sophie is this year’s selection for the Evergreen Recreation and Park Foundation’s fund-raising raffle.

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This 1971 Karmann Ghia is the Evergreen Recreation and Park Foundation's selection for this year's fund-raiser.

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This bright blue vehicle of the Volkswagen variety will begin appearing in Evergreen for a good cause. Proceeds from raffle tickets will go toward park projects in the district. 

While the main event for the raffle is the foundation’s annual Oktoberfest in September, people will have the opportunity to purchase tickets beforehand. Raffle tickets will be available soon on the foundation’s website.

Foundation member Kit Darrow found Sophie on craigslist and coordinated its purchase. 

“It’s a very durable vehicle,” she said. “It’s a good choice.”

The car’s manual transmission shifts smoothly, and the rebuilt engine has only 55,000 miles on it, Darrow said.

To get the car in peak shape, Morse Auto Body of Evergreen is donating time and materials for body restoration and a paint job. Other Evergreen businesses are contributing mechanical parts, Darrow said.

“It’s a true community effort,” she said.

The Volkswagen camper van that starred in last year’s raffle brought in $25,000, which the foundation gave to the park district. From the proceeds, $15,000 went toward recreational scholarships for people in need. An additional $6,000 was contributed to the Wulf playground project and the remaining $4,000 toward the purchase of a mobile stage.

Darrow is among supporters of the stage, which will cost $45,000 and will provide opportunities for concerts and events at other district parks besides the one at Evergreen Lake.

While Darrow said that the Kharmann Ghia came to the foundation in “a sad kind of way” from a woman who put it up for sale after her boyfriend died, the car is an appealing selection for the raffle.

“Look for Sophie around town,” said Darrow.

Contact Sandy Barnes at  HYPERLINK "mailto:sandy@evergreenco.com" sandy@evergreenco.com or call 303-350-1042.