Adams Township car cruise draws hundreds
MARS — More than 200 auto enthusiasts brought their shiny cars and trucks to a car cruise Saturday at Adams Township Community Park to benefit two township youths with medical ailments.
All the money raised from entry fees and an auction will be donated to the families of 17-year-old Colin Vandenberghe, who recently was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, and 3-year-old Ford Bartle, who was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma.
In addition to the show of classic cars and trucks and modified hot rods, the event featured food vendors, music and other activities. People who entered cars in the cruise had a chance to win door prizes and trophies.
This is the third year the township has sponsored a car cruise in September, but this was the first one that was a fundraiser, said Ron Shemela, township supervisor.
The township has also hosted car cruises every Friday night this summer to provide an activity for township residents who were looking for something to do during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
“We ended up with a lot of cars here Friday nights. It was a place for people to go Friday nights,” Shemela said.Robert Bier, of McCandless, in northern Allegheny County, brought his 1974 Pontiac Trans-Am to Saturday's cruise and to the Friday night cruises.“I came because of the fundraiser. I'm real big into that and helping out,” Biery said.His white car with the famous Trans-Am decal in blue on the hood is original except for the paint and tires, he said, adding that he bought the vehicle in 2004 from the son of the original owner.Biery said he drives it to work when the weather is nice and has taken it to the Pontiac Nationals car event in Ohio and the World of Wheels auto show in Pittsburgh.Jeff Brown, of Adams Township, brought his 1968 Ford Mustang GT, which his father bought new.He said his mother used to drive the car all year, and the rear end of the vehicle had heavy rust damage. When he was in high school, he said his father wanted to sell it due to the rust, but agreed to keep it after Brown offered to pay for the repairs.Since then, Brown said he has had the car repainted a couple of times and had the engine replaced.Gary Peaco, the township manager, said the turnout for the cruise was better than expected and larger than the first two events.“People wanted to get out, It's a beautiful day.” Peaco said.The cruise has been growing every year, he said. About 100 cars were brought to the first show, and 125 came for the second show. The entry fee was increased from $5 to $10 this year, he said.“Every cent, every dollar coming in is going to be split between the two families,” Peaco said.He said the amount raised will be announced at an upcoming township supervisors meeting.
