Secretary's Insights
PPCC Secretary Art Berry shared, "This night is dedicated to the toy drive. The grand finale always revolves around the toy drive for the local fire station on Yucaipa Boulevard. We collect these toys for them, and they take it upon themselves to distribute them among the children." The Yucaipa Fire Department also made a grand appearance by bringing several of their fire trucks to display, adding to the excitement of the event.Show's Hiatus and Return
This remarkable show, which is made possible by local sponsorship and is completely free of charge, will take a break during the winter months. However, it is all set to resume again in April 2025, promising more classic cars and heartwarming moments.Attendee's Experience
John Hammer from Redlands mentioned that it was his second time attending the PPCC show. For this holiday drive, he brought three different kinds of toys to donate. He said, "I always participate in these fundraiser activities. In October, I also had the pleasure of attending a different car show fundraiser for the Lighthouse for the Blind in Redlands." He further added, "A lot of the same cars were present, but it was still a great experience."John brought a 1923 Ford Model-T to the PPCC show. He explained that his car has a 350 engine from 1985. He decided to put a Chevy engine in a Ford because "their engines are truly the best." He continued, "It's quite a speedster, and it can even perform those amazing pop-wheelies." He also mentioned, "It's not a restoration; I bought this Model-T from the widow of a collector in Arizona, and it already came painted orange. Now, I'm in the process of painting part of it black and working on it with a neighbor who has excellent mechanical skills." The colors of his automobile perfectly complemented some of the other cars that seemed to have a Halloween theme with their decorations.Contests for Children
There were several exciting contests organized for children, including hula hoop, dance, and limbo. The winners were rewarded with trophies, and the children were overjoyed to receive Halloween candy as well. Throughout the evening, the DJ kept the energy high by providing music and giving away prizes for correct answers to trivia questions before the winners were presented with their well-deserved trophies.Trophy Making Process
As a grand finale touch, the club created hand-made trophies all made out of hard wood. These were beautiful wall plaques. Berry mentioned that he donated the wood, and it was a collaborative effort by the club members. They got the plates for the plaques from The Trophy Store in Yucaipa and then crafted the trophies by cutting them out and bonding the plates together along with laser engraving. In the end, Berry took the time to sand and finish them, making them truly unique.Toy Donation Impact
Berry also noted that the toy donation in 2024 seemed to be more substantial than the previous year, with approximately 14 bins filled with toys. He emphasized, "There are children nowadays who are facing hardships due to our economy. People have been incredibly generous, and we are truly grateful to the community for their support."To know more about the Past Pleasures Car Club, visit www.pastpleasurescarclub.com.Transforming Lives with The First Car Project
How The First Car Project Came to Be
The First Car Project started with a simple yet powerful vision - to provide a reliable vehicle to those in need. Alex White, a Crestwood attorney, saw the potential in this idea and took the lead. With the help of Eric Benson and his wife Ashley Borden, as well as Margy Stevens, they began to turn their dream into a reality. The project was born out of a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of foster care youth who are aging out of the system. It was a grassroots effort that quickly gained momentum as they established connections with area mechanics and other professionals.
Stevens' act of giving her older vehicle to a family friend aging out of foster care served as a catalyst for the project. She knew there was a need for more support and decided to take action. Together, they formed a limited liability corporation and raised $20,000 to get the project off the ground. The approval of their 501(c)3 nonprofit status earlier this year gave them the legal and financial stability to continue their work.
The Impact of The First Car Project
The impact of The First Car Project has been truly remarkable. By providing a dependable vehicle, they are giving foster care youth the freedom and independence they need to start their lives on a positive note. These cars will not only help them get to work or school but also provide a sense of stability and belonging. As Alex White said, "The project has been more successful than we ever dreamed."
The process of selecting recipients is carefully managed by the group in collaboration with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. They narrow down the list of applicants and select a few based on various criteria. This ensures that the vehicles are going to those who truly need them and will make the most of the opportunity. The car shows in June and fall were a great success, with two cars awarded each time. And when they couldn't choose just one recipient, they worked hard to get a car ready in three weeks before the "key ceremony".
The Team Behind The First Car Project
The success of The First Car Project is due in large part to the dedicated team behind it. Alex White, with his legal expertise, has been instrumental in guiding the project. Eric Benson and Ashley Borden, with their connections in the car club community, have brought valuable resources and support. Margy Stevens, with her heart and determination, has been a driving force in making this project a reality.
Working together as a team, they have fine-tuned the process and established a strong network. With only four people as part of the nonprofit, they have achieved great things. Their combined efforts have not only provided vehicles but also hope and a sense of community to foster care youth. This is a true example of the power of collaboration and the impact that one small group can have.