This inaugural fundraising event is designed to raise funds to support research conducted by the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation (PRRF). Genetic research for blinding pediatric retinal disease requires tremendous capital to purchase equipment, maintain funding for current studies and research grants. With well done research, we hope to find ways to diagnose and treat pediatric retinal diseases such as, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR), Norrie disease, congenital X-linked retinoschisis (CXLRS), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and other pediatric retinal diseases.
To this end, under the leadership of event Chairman Dr. Patrick Droste, we have planned our first car show - CARS FOR A CAUSE, to be held on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at Garage Kept Motors, 460 36th St., SE, Wyoming, MI. The Grand Rapids Lions Club is the 501(c)3 organization sponsoring the event, and we are also generating funds for Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind (OUB), whose mission is to create independent productive members of society who integrate in a sighted world.
Garage Kept Motors is a high-end car consignment company owned by Andrew Dufendach and Jeremy Bruner of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their facility houses over 100 classic and premium vehicles. The owners are allowing us to use their facility to showcase their cars and provide space for the those wanting to show their cars.
The show starts at 11 am and ending at 4 pm. We are asking for car enthusiasts to bring their cars for display on the exterior grounds outside of the facility.
Food: Three carnival food trucks will be selling bratwurst, polish and Italian sausage, hot dogs, hamburgers, corndogs as well as, elephant ears and hand squeezed lemonade.
Entertainment:
We have a fire truck and police car committed by the Wyoming Public Safety Department for the blind and visually impaired children to explore. We are hoping to get a military vehicle as well.
DJ entertainment will be provided by morning radio personality Ed Verschure. Ed is host of “Talk of the Town” on WHTC in Holland, Michigan and has DJ'd car shows for a long number of years specializing in "Oldies".
Most importantly, we will have live entertainment from very talented blind local artists who will sing, play keyboard and bagpipes. It will be quite inspiring to hear them perform throughout the event. Booths of businesses owned or operated by children who are blind or visually impaired will be featured.
There will be a car show with awards in three categories, determined by a panel of 5 judges. Winners will be given a very unique hand-crafted award made of car parts, by Sam Armstrong, one of the members of the organizing committee. Awards will take place at 3 pm. There is no charge for someone to bring their car for show.
Silent Auction: Auction items will be from all genre, ranging from automobile supplies to handmade quilts, propane tanks, and gift certificates. The winners will be announced prior to the awards, around 3:30 pm. WE ARE LOOKING FOR MORE ITEMS FOR THE SILENT AUCTION. PLEASE CONTACT GARAGE KEPT MOTORS.
Education:
The PRRF will have an educational program available for viewing indoors on a wide screen TV and patrons will have an opportunity to speak with the researchers and obtain material related to research and disease.
OUB will also have an informational table with representatives to explain their camps and other programs for life skill development.
Sponsorship:
OAKLAND UNIVERSITY IS OUR LEADING CORPORATE SPONSOR, AT THIS TIME. Oakland University has, generously donated $2,500.
We are still looking for additional corporate sponsors, at the $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 dollar levels. These corporate sponsors will get special recognition at the event.
Donations:
A “Go Fund Me” page has been set up by Andrew Dufendach at Garage Kept Motors and is available at: https://www.gofundme.com/cars-for-a-cause-west-michigan
For those who cannot attend, all donations will be graciously received and acknowledged with tax deduction paperwork from the GR Lion's Club Charities.
Donations are needed at all levels and dollar amount - please make all checks payable to the Grand Rapids Lions Club Charities: Cars for a Cause: West Michigan.
The Grand Rapids Lions Club is the 501(c)3 organization sponsoring the event, All financial responsibilities and reporting will be handled by the GR Lion's Club Charities. They will determine proceeds based on profits after reconciliation of expenditures. This organization will also be supplying volunteers to run the silent auction and 50/50 raffle as well as take part in parking patrons and collection of entry fees.
We are always in need of patrons to support the effort through attendance, donation, and volunteering. It is our intent that this event will run annually and grow with each year. We invite you to be a part of the growth!!!