Currie Motors Ford of Valpo & Valparaiso Lions Club unite to announce $1,000 Early Bird Raffle winner to drive community impact for the visually impaired

It was an incredibly exciting day for Simko Signs’ Mike Moreth, whose bank account grew by an astonishing $1,000 as the winner of Currie Motors Ford of Valpo’s Early Bird Raffle Drawing on Thursday, August 7. The raffle, sponsored by both Currie Motors Ford of Valpo and the Valparaiso Lions Vision Care Incorporated, is one of three drawings for the dealership’s first annual raffle, leading to the grand prize later this fall: a brand new 2025 Ford Bronco or $40,000. 

These enticing prizes are creating quite a buzz, though the raffles are set to create a long lasting, heartfelt impact for more than just the prize winners. In addition to the possibility of winning some cash or a new ride, the money raised will go towards the local low vision community, creating more opportunities for them to gain access to resources and cutting edge technology so they can live fuller, more independent lives.

“This is a joint effort between ourselves and Curie Motors Ford of Valpo, and the proceeds are going towards the low vision community and the blind,” noted Greg Miller, President of the Valparaiso Lions Club and Valparaiso Lions Vision Care Incorporated. “Here at the Lions Club, we have two different entities, the Lions Club of Valparaiso and the charity side – Lions Vision Care, Inc. We do a lot of work with organizations like Leader Dogs for the Blind, and that’s been a lot of fun. We actually have a member who has a leader dog, so that’s one of our directions, and we also do this for glasses. There are metal glasses that will actually photograph things for you. The charity side is specifically for people with low vision or the blind.”

Miller explained that, while the Lions Club was originally formed to support the blind, its mission has grown over time to meet a wide range of community needs. Helping the visually impaired remains a central focus, but the group is equally dedicated to serving the broader Valpo area however it can.

“The charity side is specifically for low vision and the blind, but we do a little bit of everything,” explained Miller. “Wherever there’s a need, we’ll try to fill it the best we can.”

When the Lions Club began brainstorming fresh ways to engage the community and boost fundraising efforts, one member saw an opportunity to tap into a longtime personal connection. Recognizing the potential for a creative collaboration, he reached out to Currie Motors Ford of Valpo General Manager Leo Sfikas, someone with a strong background in car-related events and a shared commitment to service. 

What started as a simple invitation quickly grew into something much more.

“Leo and my dad are really good friends outside of any of this,” shared Joe Arroyo, Vice President for the Valparaiso Lions Club. “When I approached Leo about the idea to come to a Lions Club meeting, he was able to attend and hear more about what we do. I think some people have a general idea of what we do and know that we donate the glasses, but when he actually attended a meeting and saw everything we actually support, he was able to get better insight and that prompted him to want to get involved. We all decided to try this idea, and then it exploded from there.”

As the Lions Club continues to expand its outreach, strong community partnerships have played a crucial role in amplifying its impact. The partnership with Currie Motors Ford of Valpo has helped elevate the club’s visibility while reinforcing a shared commitment to service, making it possible to create an even greater difference in the lives of people in Valparaiso and beyond.

“The best thing about Currie Motors Ford of Valpo is their willingness to support us and get our name out there,” Arroyo proclaimed. “We’ve been able to do radio and car shows with them, which gives us more exposure. In addition, it’s giving exposure to them and shows others that they care just as much about their community as well.”

The partnership has continued to thrive from the moment it began, with Currie Motors Ford of Valpo playing an active role in the Lions Club’s latest fundraising efforts. The dealership’s involvement has extended into hands-on support that’s helped drive the raffles forward in a meaningful way. 

“The partnership with Currie Motors Ford of Valpo has been phenomenal and just very supportive,” Miller explained. “They’re actually selling tickets out of their facility. If we didn’t have their support, we wouldn’t be able to tackle this sort of thing. It worked out very well. It’s been more fun. We have the big drawing on October 16, and we have some time now to get the rest of the tickets sold. That’s the goal.” 

Looking forward to a chance to win big while making a positive impact in the community? Tickets are priced at $100 each, and there’s still plenty of time to enter! For more information, visit Currie Motor Ford of Valpo’s website here.