A professionally restored 1969 Chevrolet Camaro is the centerpiece of an American Legion sweepstakes supporting California veterans, with a district competition offering additional fundraising opportunities for local Legion leaders.
The Camaro features a 427 Big Block V8, a Muncie four-speed manual transmission, Hugger Orange paint and a black houndstooth interior. The performance-built muscle car has an advertised approximate retail value of $85,000.
The advertised grand prize offers the winner a choice: the Camaro plus $10,000 in cash, or a $50,000 cash alternative. Those prize options depend on the campaign raising at least $360,000 in donations. If that minimum is not reached, organizers will award a substitute cash prize as provided in the sweepstakes rules.
Entries close at 11:59 p.m. Pacific on Dec. 31, 2026. The drawing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2027, at 11 a.m. Pacific. The sweepstakes is presented by The American Legion Department of Maryland in partnership with participating departments, including California.
All entries from California addresses are credited to the Department of California, according to the campaign materials. Department Commander Janice Somers said the department’s campaign proceeds support its veteran service officers.
District Competition Offers Fundraising Incentive
The Department of California’s Ways and Means Commission and Victory 360, the department’s fundraising company, have developed a competition among districts with cash awards of $1,500, $1,000 and $500, Somers announced in a message to department leaders.
“This opportunity is a win win for the department, districts, and posts,” Somers wrote.
She asked department vice commanders to work with district commanders to promote the sweepstakes and encouraged district leaders to coordinate with their post commanders. Social media, she said, offers a way to reach muscle-car enthusiasts beyond the veteran community.
“Social media can help the districts reach non veterans who love muscle cars to take a chance,” Somers wrote.
Questions about the district competition may be directed to Ways and Means Commission Chair Chuck Camarato at chuckcamarato@gmail.com.
How to Enter
Visit the California Camaro sweepstakes page for campaign information and entry options. American Legion membership is not required to enter or win. No donation is necessary to enter; consult the official rules for eligibility, entry methods and complete prize conditions.
Author: Jared Morgan
Jared is the senior editor and web team lead for the Department of California and chair of its Media & Communications Commission. He became a member of the American Legion in 2014 when he joined Palisades Post 283 to find stories about veterans issues for a local newspaper while working as its news editor. He was soon brought in as 283's assistant adjutant and historian to help produce the post's award-winning community newspaper. Since then, Jared has used his media skills to help further the efforts of The American Legion in its advocacy of veterans and their families. Jared has also worked for several years to help revitalize the 100-year-old Santa Monica Post 123, formerly as its adjutant and as a member of its executive board, before transferring back to Post 283.
