Fox Lake dealership donates vehicle for Jeeps on the Run raffle
Though December is a distant flip of the calendar away, the folks who put together the Jeeps on the Run Toys for Tots Run already are excited about the 2025 event.
A major key to the early buzz is having the event’s big Jeep raffle prize in hand months sooner than usual. A new 2025 Jeep Gladiator Sport valued at $46,375, will be awarded to a lucky ticket holder at the Dec. 7 event this year, said Mike Missak, president and founder of Jeeps on the Run.
The nonprofit has donated more than $2 million to Toys for Tots and other local charitable organizations — including animal shelters, food pantries and more — since its 2012 inception, he added.
The $20 Jeep raffle tickets, only 3,000 of which will be sold, will be available soon at jeepsontherun.com. Those interested should keep an eye on the Jeeps on the Run Facebook page for the latest news and updates.
Available right now is the chance to come and view the army green, Nighthawk edition Jeep at Ray Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 23 Route 12, Fox Lake. It is the sixth new Jeep that dealership owner Ray Scarpelli Jr. has donated to Jeeps on the Run. This enables the nonprofit to put 100% of the ticket sales toward the holiday season U.S. Marines Toys for Tots campaigns of Lake and McHenry counties.
“Ray Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has donated close to $300,000 to Jeeps on the Run in the form of Jeeps and other generous support,” Missak said. “They are committed to our group 365 days a year — and to the community in general.”
Missak quickly noted that the JOTR Toys for Tots Run’s success relies not only on the generous partnership the nonprofit has forged with Ray CDJR, but also with all of JOTR’s sponsors as well, of course, as the Toys for Tots Run and after-party participants. These folks have in recent years supplied so many toys and treasure that it takes more than two semi-tractor-trailers to contain them.
“Thousands of families from McHenry and Lake counties benefit,” he said. “We could not do this without the folks who show up each year with their creatively decorated Jeeps — some with a few toys, some with a trailer load of them, and all very deeply appreciated.”
Missak also noted that Jeep ownership is not required for after-party participation. This year’s run once again will start at Ray CDJR and end up at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, where Santa, live music, food, family activities and more will await, not to mention the drawing to determine the winner of the Jeep Gladiator.
“It’s a special color called 41, which refers to 1941, the year Jeeps started being mass produced for military use,” Missak said. “It comes with upgraded tires and wheels, rock rails and other enhanced off-roading capabilities.”
Scarpelli said it his pleasure to support Jeeps on the Run.
“Seeing the Toys for Tots Run take off in terms of awareness, participation and the sheer number of toys and dollars it generates for such a great cause has been really rewarding,” he said. “Jeeps on the Run is a great group, and I’m happy to do what I can to help them continue to shine in their charitable endeavors.”
Those interested in participating in the 2025 Toys for Tots Run ($30 per Jeep) and/or after-party ($5 per individual) should also keep an eye on jeepsontherun.com and the group’s Facebook page. Both will provide notification on when registration opens and tickets will be available on the website, typically in late August or early September.