American Heritage Cruise 2008
Huge Success!!
The Dream Cruisers PT Club kicked off their third fundraiser for the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund on June 6
th
& 7
th
at The Outlet Shoppes in Gettysburg, PA. While the weather was HOT and steamy everyone rallied to the cause. Through selling cash raffle tickets, Chinese Raffle tickets, the 50/50 raffle and t-shirt sales we were able to raise $9,830.00. A check, as well as money raised through t-shirt sales, were presented to Shannon Sullivan who was there representing the Freedom Alliance. Since the event, more cash has come in and our grand total on money raised for the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund is now at $10,000.00 We have not only met our goal but we have surpassed it. Everyone worked hard very hard to make this happen. A good job was done by all.
The event started on Friday, June 6 th , with tours to Boyd’s Bear Country, a ghost tour and a Meet & Greet which was held in the parking lot of the Country Inn & Suites. It was catered by Bull Pen Caterers. The food, pit beef, turkey, ham, Italian Sausage and salads was delicious. Many went back for seconds and some even thirds. While dining we were treated to DJ Vince Turner who not only played songs from our past and tested us with some trivia but also sang for us as well. I think all will agree that he did an excellent job and praise was heard throughout the crowd. Thanks to Vince for donating his time and services and thanks for a job well done!!
Saturday, June 7 th , was the day of the car show. Everyone awoke to another hot, sweltering day. Registration opened at 8:00 in the morning and the show was on its way. Seventy Seven cars were in attendance and they came from as far away as Indiana, Tennessee, Vermont, and North Carolina. Also well represented were New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland & Virginia. They all braved the heat and high gas prices to show support for our troops and their families.
DJ Gary Beck provided music as well as trivia questions, with prizes awarded for correct answers. Randy Fisher, a local Elvis impersonator, did two shows in
full Elvis dress. Even in sweltering heat this fine man did not miss a beat!! There are just no words to express our thanks and appreciation to these two gentlemen. They too donated their time and services. Also as part of the entertainment there was a scavenger hunt and word games that was planned and provided by Ken Durbin and the merchants at the Outlet Shoppes.Soon it was time to pull the Chinese Raffle tickets, 50/50 and cash raffle tickets. This year we were able to provide many quality items on our Chinese Raffle table. We had a prominent artist, Brenda Harris Tustian; donate her print entitled "God Bless America". This print hangs in the White House and our Pentagon. Also on the raffle table was a Wii with many accessories, tool box valued at $500 donated by Lincoln Technical Institute and many other nice quality items. Our winners of the cash raffle were:
Katherine Adams $500
Bobby & Pam Preisinger $1,000
Congratulations to everyone who was lucky enough to walk away with something.
After the raffle items were pulled it was on to the grand finale of presenting the awards. The trophies were beautiful patriotic themed. This year we solicited sponsors for our trophies and those sponsors who were in attendance were able to be a part of the award presentation. The following folks were the lucky and well deserved winners of this years awards:
Stock/Near Stock
Personalized
Mild Custom
3
rd
Place Barry Gregory
2
nd
Place Ken Durbin
1
st
Place Larry & Leslie Bellew
Wild Custom
3
rd
Place Marvin & Mary Shelley
2
nd
Place Jim & Donna Lowell
1
st
Place Carlton Plant
Radical
1
st
Place Chet Stedman
2
nd
Place Darrell Holt
3
rd
Place Kenny Thistlewood
Military Choice John Guarrancino
Peoples Choice Jack Phelps
The specialty awards are as follows:
Best Interior Gordon Ward
Best Engine Linda & Carlos Arias
Best Convertible Gab Lakatos
Best Tailgate/Display Joe Schweiger
Congratulations to you all!!!
In closing, I would like to thank the Dream Cruiser Members for once again rising to the occasion and working so hard and diligently. Even with the oppressive heat they worked tirelessly so that we would once again host a class event. Thanks to The Outlet Shoppes @ Gettysburg and Country Inn & Suites for providing a great venue for our event and thanks to those in our communities that so generously provided us with the items on our Chinese Raffle table. Thanks to all that supported this event, who are too numerous to mention. This event pulls all those like minded folks together who want to let our troops know that they are loved and supported and that all that they do for us does not go in vain. There are many of us that recognize their dedication and the sacrifices they make.
Chris O’Brien
