| | The 5th Annual Chevrolet Charity Cruise at Baierl Chevrolet was held on Sunday, June 24, to benefit the Spark of Hope. This was the first year ALL Chevy’s were invited to the cruise. Our cruise continues to be a win, win, win event. Our club won because we were able to use our Corvettes in a charitable way to help people in need and to show what we can do by working together as a club. Baierl Chevrolet won by building goodwill and showing their support of our community and charity, and the individuals and families being supported by the Spark of Hope won. And on top of that, everyone had fun!! This year the weather fully cooperated and we had a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the low 80’s. Cudos to all of the club members who were able to attend this year’s cruise, thank you for making it a success. At the cruise there were about 100 Corvettes and 45 classic Chevy’s, our best turnout ever. Volunteers from the North Pittsburgh Corvette Club, the Spark of Hope and Baierl Chevrolet worked very hard in planning, promoting, obtaining donations for this years cruse to raise money to help those less fortunate than themselves in the North Side and North Hills of Pittsburgh. ALL cruise proceeds go to the Spark of Hope, a whopping $4,201. Thanks to all of the volunteers and everyone who attended our cruise. This year we also had volunteers from the North Hills High School CADD (Computer Aided Drafting and Design) class. They were there early and helped us setup for the cruise. They also spent most of the day helping. We’ll be sure to support their cruise on Saturday September 29th. Hopefully some of these young folks will be future Corvette owners and club members after seeing all of the good work we do. Cruise planning, communications and asking local businesses to donate Door and Chinese Auction prizes began in January and continued up to the day of the cruise. Our checkered flag waving Parking crew directed the classic Chevy’s and Corvettes into the cruise. Our Greeters welcomed them with a friendly smile, a ticket for a free door prize and a dash plaque (designed by Scott Merriman). Pictures of Bob Martin’s Electron Blue 2003 Corvette Coupe and Scott Berkey’s Mint Green and White 1968 Chevy big block 396 pick-up were featured on the plaque. The 50/50 team moved among the cars and cruisers encouraging everyone to take a chance. At the Food tent the grilles were smoking and we sold hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and drinks. The Chinese Auction was surrounded by folks wanting to buy tickets to win their favorite prizes – the new tickets made everything so much easier. Cruisers came to the Door Prize tables hoping their number was pulled so they could win a prize. Our sponsors were listed on a recognition board in appreciation for their donations and cruisers were encouraged to shop at their businesses. DJ, John Holmes, played great oldies and handled our announcements with ease. We had a few photographers who walked through the cars taking photos.
Look for them on our new website at http://www.np-cc.com/ The Spark of Hope brought their van and an information table with a photo board showing examples of their good work – a lot of folks stopped by to ask about their work and some made donations in their jar. With input from Scott Berkey and Bruce King, Jeff Nock (Baierl Chevrolet) and Denny Podrasky selected the Best of Show award winners. The winning Corvette was a beautiful Monterey Red 2006 Corvette Convertible owned by Bill and Angela Miller. The winning classic Chevy was a magnificent White 1959 Chevrolet Impala (remember those big fins and cat eye tail lights) owned by Dick Starinchak. They each received an engraved wall plaque and a Diamond Gloss Protection package from Ziebart.. At the Chinese Auction we had our first Money Tree. Everyone who bought tickets had a number to enter in the drawing. The very lucky Ron Knorr won the $100 tree. We had a HUGE 50/50 raffle of $668.00, so we drew two winners - Al Adams and Gregory Minor who each won $167.00 with $334.00 going to the Spark of Hope. Thank you to our club members who made personal check donations to the Spark of Hope. All of these donations will go directly to good use. Don’t forget when you’re doing your 2007 taxes that these donations are tax deductible. There were cruisers from Corvettes of PA, CCWP, United Rays and Steeltown. Some of the classic Chevy’s came from West Virginia, Kittanning, etc. Many people, not driving Corvettes, came to the cruise and drove in to check out the many beautiful cars and supported the cruise by buying Food, Chinese Auction and 50/50 tickets. Thanks to our many sponsors, including Baierl Chevrolet for so much, ITEX Trade/Barter for donating the DJ, Print King for donating copy work, Krispy Kreme for their delicious donuts, and W.J. Beitler Trucking for our Pepsi drinks. There were over 60 other sponsors who donated 110 Door prizes and 81 Chinese Auction prizes. I know that all of the cruisers and guests really liked their hats, t-shirts, dinners, gift certificates, mugs, baskets of goods, tools, Corvette clothing, LCD TV, DVD player, Pirate tickets, movie tickets, diecast cars, restaurant gift certificates, etc. Some of the most popular items at the Chinese Auction were the LCD TV, the Tire gift certificate and the men’s and ladies Corvette watches. Thank you to ALL of our club members who asked local businesses for prize donations. With your help our cruise was a success. The true winners are those who will benefit from our work through the contribution we make to the Spark of Hope. Did I mention that ALL cruise proceeds go to our charity?
A special thanks to the cruise activity team leaders: - Larry and Barb Lang, Rick and Cel Conwell for pulling together the Chinese Auction
- Tina Harper (Spark of Hope) for cruise Communications
- Al and Barb Adams for handling the Door Prizes
- Bob Martin for handling the Finances
- Sam Capozzoli (Baierl Chevrolet) and Gloria Podrasky for running the Food
- Joy Weber and Denise Bilka for Greeting the cruisers and making them feel welcome
- Lori and Bill James for aquiring donations from National and Regional Suppliers
- Jim Merriman, Marc Berliner, Denny Podrasky and Jeff Nock (Baierl Chevrolet) for their efforts in Planning the cruise
- Dave Dreher and Dave DeMario (Spark of Hope) for handling the Parking
- Ron Vandenbord, Jack Weber, and Jeff Bilka for running the 50/50 Raffle.
It’s awesome how much support Baierl Chevrolet gives to our cruise. They are truly a wonderful and generous sponsor. I also wanted to thank Judi O’Rourke, our club prez, for doing all of the cruise email communications to club members. A very big “Corvette Wave” to all of the North Pittsburgh Corvette Club members, the Spark of Hope and Baierl Chevrolet folks who worked tirelessly at the cruise by carrying and setting up tables, putting up the club banner, setting up tents, picking up the donuts, working in one of the activities, giving another club member a break, helping to clean up, etc. You’re the best! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks again to everyone!!!
I’m really proud to be associated with you and our club for the good work we do to help those in need. Denny Podrasky | |
