Features

Newtown Lions Raffle Winner Gets Keys To New Mustang

By Jenna Visca

Published: Dec 09, 2025 6:00 am

Saturday, November 29 was a special day for Michael Ryan and his wife Liz Ryan, as they picked up the keys to the 2023 Ford Mustang convertible they won from this year’s Newtown Lions Club Mustang Raffle.

The annual Mustang raffle is a long-standing Newtown Lions Club tradition, with all the proceeds going to designated Lions Charities such as Abilities Beyond Disabilities, Faith Food Pantry, Newtown Parent Connection, Newtown Youth & Family Services, Hope for Main Street, the Salvation Army, and American Red Cross, among many others.

Michael, who lives in Jersey City but also has a house in Candlewood Lake, bought winning ticket #02072 at this year’s Danbury Car & Truck Festival. Newtown Lions Club members Walter Schweikert and Jerome Mayer were the ones who sold him the lucky ticket.

It was a natural purchase for Michael, who is a tried and true car collector. Among the cars in his collection are a ‘66 Barracuda, a ‘27 Studebaker, and a ‘90 Miata.

“So yeah, I collect cars and motorcycles; it’s a disease,” Michael laughed.

He actually picked up the car on the night of Wednesday, November 26. He was talking on the phone with Schweikert about the paperwork and license plate for the car, and figured it would just be more convenient to pick it up that night.

The car is a 2023 Ford Mustang convertible with a black top and metallic silver lines. It features 310 horsepower with turbocharging from the eco boosted 2.3 liter engine and a ten speed automatic transmission.

It was a long four hour drive, but Michael said he was happy to show off the car to his son on Thanksgiving Day.

Michael and Liz returned to a Newtown Lions Club member’s house for the traditional car key hand off, where Newtown Lions Club members congratulate the lucky winner.

The couple has driven the car several times since Wednesday night, and could not be more happy with it.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.

Michael Ryan (far right) and his wife Liz Ryan (second to right) stand with their new 2023 Ford Mustang convertible on Saturday, November 29, which they won through this year’s Newtown Lions Club Mustang Raffle. The couple live out in Jersey City, New Jersey, but also have a house in Candlewood Lake. They can be seen standing with several members of Newtown Lions Club, who were happy to be there for the special occasion.—Bee Photos, Visca

Newtown Lions Club member Walter Schweikert (left), stands next to raffle winner Michael Ryan (center) and fellow Newtown Lions Club member Jerome Mayer. The two Newtown Lions Club members sold Ryan the lucky ticket at a car show in Danbury.

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Newtown Lions Raffle Winner Gets Keys To New Mustang

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