Langley Good Times Cruise-In won’t be able to deliver donations that near the same value as past, but raising $46,000 at this year’s show is nothing to sneeze at, said Cruise-In president Wayne Patterson.
“The 2016 year had some challenges, car count was down by about 200 cars [963 registered this year], the Ultimate Garage ticket sales were down,” Patterson said.
“But, our first-ever 50-50 was a success, and the Cruise-In board and all its volunteers managed to raise $46,296.50 to go back into our community.”
Although the amount raised this year was almost $17,000 lower than 2015, Patterson said he and other directors are still happy with the outcome.
“We can still hold our heads high, as this is $46,296.50 that would not be going to charities if this event did not happen,” he explained.
During the next few weeks, the directors will be hand delivering the cheques to the various Cruise-In charities of choice.
Those include the Langley Community Support Group, Langley Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association, and Legacy Water Search & Rescue.
As well, some of the funds will go to Kwantlen Polytechnique University, the Spartan Foundation, PUCKs, Vineyard Church, St. John Ambulance, Langley Boys & Girls Club, and Douglas Park Community School.
“During the show there are thousands of people who meet old friends, and build new relationships,” Patterson said.
“But it does not stop at the event, as you can see we touch many lives in Langley after the event is over.”
He said these weeks just ahead of Christmas each year, it means a lot when the board members head out into the community to deliver the cheques and get a chance to see first hand what some of their efforts and consequently the funds raised help accomplish.
“This is the best time of the year, to see the tears in the eyes of a member from a small charity, when they [receive the money and know they] can now plan 2017, or letting the kids of Douglas park school know they get to do the extra activities that are just not in the budget, this is what makes the Cruse-In great!” he said.
Patterson also extended thanks to the sponsors, who help ensure the event happens, along with Cascades Casino, the City Of Langley, and Black Press Community News Media [the parent company of this newspaper].
He also extended gratitude to “all the Volunteers who have dedicated their time over the past year to make this show happen,” Patterson said.
He admitting, a few times ahead of the charity car show, that he wondered if it was going to happen, or if it was going to be a wash.
For instance, issues with the City a few weeks out from the event, threatened to see the Cruise-In cancelled.
Then, early on the morning of the show, rain posed a threat during set up.
But, as Patterson said, the “clouds broke to reveal a wonderful day in Langley,” and now local charities will have a Merry Christmas because of Langley Good Times Cruise-In.
Next year’s show date is set, as always, for the Saturday following the Labour Day weekend. In 2017, that date is Saturday, Sept. 9.
CAPTION: Langley Community Support Group's Marilyn Piticco recently accepted a donation presented by the Langley Good Times Cruise-In directors.
CAPTION: Legacy Water Search & Rescue is one of the other organizations that received a donation from this year's Langley Good Times Cruise-In.
CAPTION: Valley Therapeutic Riding Association recently received a cheque from Cruise-In directors.