As November has come and gone, we would like to wish all our Marine brothers and sisters a Happy 244th Birthday, and to all Veterans who have taken the oath, a happy Veterans Day and many thanks for their years of dedicated service. With December in full swing, I hope that all reading this have a very merry holiday season and a happy and healthy New Year as well. The Lincoln is still in a state of preservation as we continue to raise funds to reach our goal to begin the restoration. In June we contacted the shops that will be involved once the restoration begins. We followed up with the expected timeline and cost to perform the Lincolns restoration as well as an update on our budget and current fundraising campaign.
Since then our efforts have allowed us to hold a few fundraisers in the past months. On October 4th the Foundation was in San Diego to attend the annual MCATA Reunion. It was great to see and catch up with many of the Lincoln’s supporters and past members of the squadron who have fond memories of its heyday. While in San Diego we also held our 3rd Fundraiser at Ale Smith Brewing Company. It was a wonderful evening and we were able to raise $990.00, and the foundation held a “Double Your Donation” event matching the funds raised to total $1980.00. We look forward to future events to be held in San Diego as this is where the Lincoln will see its next “Tour of Duty” once restored back with the Raiders on MCAS Miramar. On November 8th The Foundation was in Dallas Fort Worth and held our second Fundraiser at Hop Fusion Ale Works. During this fundraiser we raised a total of $1186.00 which took us to an overall amount of $29,685.00 to date. This amount is just shy of us reaching the $30,000.00 goal to remove the Lincoln from its current preservation and begin the cars restoration in the upcoming months. Many thanks to all who attended both these fundraisers and for continuing to support our overall goal of $60,000.00.
During the month of December, the Foundation will be contacting its members as well as VMGR-352 current and past members to discuss the expected beginning of the Lincoln’s restoration. We have identified a second possible donor car, also a 1969 Lincoln Continental that is under discussion for purchase to assist in the parts required to affordably restore the Lincoln. This second donor car will allow us to begin the car’s restoration in February 2020 with an expected completion around November 2020. This timeline will be adjusted as funds become available with future donations and the opportunity of donated time and effort from the professionals performing the required work to have a safe, drivable squadron vehicle.
Please continue to follow along with our progress by visiting our website at www.theraidermobile.com, or our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/theraidermobilefoundation, and as always, we thank you for your continued support.
Semper Fi.
