By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(Sept. 24, 2026) The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department’s vehicle raffle has returned for another year, but this time with a twist and better odds for participants.

For this year’s annual car fundraiser, rather than offering a specific automobile, the Ocean Pines rescue department is giving the winner the choice between a new vehicle or $50,000 in cash.

OPVFD President Joe Enste said the department decided to change the raffle format this year while also limiting the number of tickets sold to 1,500.

“We’ve kind of spiced it up a little bit where we’re offering either a brand-new vehicle or $50,000 cash,” he said.

With only 1,500 tickets available, each ticket gives participants a one-in-1,500 chance of winning the grand prize, better odds than in previous years.

“We’ve made the chances better on it now,” Enste said. “You have a one in 1,500 chance of winning $50,000 or a brand-new vehicle, which is pretty darn good when you compare it to a lot of other raffles that are out there.”

In the past, the department worked with local car dealerships to select a specific make and model for the raffle, with the vehicle displayed at the fire station throughout the drawing.

This year, however, construction at the department’s South Station has limited the space available, prompting the department to take a different approach.

The flexible prize also gives the winner more options when selecting a vehicle.

“If somebody came and they didn’t want a pickup truck and they wanted, you know, a brand-new Kia or a Jeep Renegade, we could take that $50,000 cash and they can go get it themselves, or we can work with them to go to a dealer and put that money down on it,” Enste said.

The department has alternated between trucks and SUVs in their previous raffles to appeal to a variety of participants. Last year’s raffle featured a Jeep Wrangler.

“We’ve tried to mix and match as we go to try to get other people’s interests,” Enste said.

Tickets are $100 and are available through the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department’s website or from department members.

Approximately 500 of the 1,500 available tickets have been sold so far.

The drawing will take place once all 1,500 tickets are sold or by the end of the year, whichever comes first, Enste noted.

Proceeds from the raffle help support the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department and its operations.