$47K Raffle Winner Awarded Following Mendham Labor Day Carnival

MENDHAM, NJ — The winner of the 50/50 raffle from the 79th annual Pastime Labor Day Carnival was presented with their winning check this weekend, according to Pastime Club Chair Mark Tosso.

Samantha Margulies, a resident of Mendham Borough, received her award at a ceremony outside the club on Sept. 16. Margulies won $47,695, making him the largest prize winner in the club's history.

According to Tosso, the Pastime Club will support a wide range of youth sports teams in Mendham, Chester and Bernardsville with the proceeds from the 50/50 raffle.

The Pastime Club was created in 1915 as a non-profit organization. As a civic and fraternal organization, its purpose is to promote youth athletics in the local community. The 107-year-old club also contributes to local veteran organizations and is the proud charterer of Boy Scout Troop 1.

Although there were setbacks for the club between May 1931 and April 1938, the club was immediately reorganized after the Great Depression, and its modern era started in the summer of 1938. During WWII, club members restored 3 Hilltop Road, which served as the Pastime Club's residence for more than 75 years.

According to officials, the Pastime Club is the community's single largest financial supporter of youth athletic programs in the Mendhams. The club funds teams and leagues, buys field equipment and provides scholarships to local student-athletes.

The club also contributes to the Labor Day Carnival, one of Mendham's greatest community events. Labor Day was first observed in 1943 and has been observed every year thereafter.

The Carnival, which is held on Borough Field every year, is one of the most anticipated events of Mendham's Pastime Club, with rides, games, and food for all to enjoy. The carnival takes place the weekend before Labor Day and is followed by the Mendham Labor Day Parade, which marches up Main Street and ends at Borough Field.