Long-Time St. J & P Parishioner Wins $35K BMW At Halloweekend

by Barbara Gallagher

(November 2, 2005) Thomas Webler, a parishioner of Sts. John and Paul Church in Larchmont since the age of five, and a 1962 graduate of the parish school, took part in the Halloweekend festival at the church this past weekend expecting nothing more than a fun time. He ran in the “Runnin’ Scared” 5K race and bought a chance in the raffle to win a $35,000 BMW. However, by the time the winning ticket was pulled on Saturday night during the family movie and Thomas Webler’s name was announced, he had already left for Boston to visit a sick family member. Fortunately, the winner did not need to be present to win.

Father Peter Pompasello hands Thomas Webler the keys to his new 2006 BMW 3 Series sedan, the prize in the St. John and Paul Halloweekend raffle.

Father Peter Pomposello called the Weblers from the school auditorium to announce the good news, but they were still away. Friends left messages all weekend to no avail. It was not until 4:00 pm on Sunday afternoon, when his son decided to check the answering machine for messages, that Mr. Webler got the call from home about winning the car.

“I was doubting Thomas at first,” Mr. Webler joked. “I had a hard time believing I had really won until my son’s fiancée said that all these messages must mean something.”

Soon the truth was confirmed, and Mr. Webler was thrilled. “It was great to be a part of such a successful fundraising effort for the church where I was raised and where I brought up my own children. I love the car and am looking forward to using it with my family.”

The Pace BMW car raffle was a key part of the Sts. John and Paul Halloweekend fundraiser that also included a teen dance, carnival, family movie night, and cabaret featuring Larchmont native and current star of The Producers, John Treacy Egan. (See: Cabaret) One thousand raffle tickets were sold at $100 each for a chance to win the $35,000 2006 BMW 3 Series sedan from Pace BMW in Mamaroneck.The car raffle alone helped raise $65,000 for the church, making it one of the most successful fundraising efforts in parish history.

“The Halloweekend Festival was a success, not only because of the money raised from the car raffle and the various events, but also because it brought the church and community together,” commented Father Brian McWeeney, pastor of the church. “Over 200 volunteers took part in the festival. We had 150 runners from around the county participate in the Runnin’ Scared 5K and hundreds of other local residents attend the carnival, movie, and Cabaret Night. The parish is looking forward to having an even better festival next year and continuing the tradition.”

Barbara Gallagher volunteers with the Sts. John and Paul parish. For more information on the church and school, visit www.sjpchurch.org or call 834-5458.

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