The Route70 Cruisers have a love for classic cars. Their passion, however, lies with helping those in need.
The group of local car enthusiasts is constantly spinning its wheels for ways to help the community. They have contributed time and money to various organizations and efforts in the community including Project Christmas, Aiden’s Heart Foundation, Corpening Memorial YMCA, numerous churches and more.
“We have a strong belief that since we are fortunate and blessed to enjoy our hobby, we have an obligation to contribute back to our community,” the group states on its website.
Funds for projects and donations are provided through charity cruise-ins the group holds regularly and its annual Mountain Thunder Car Show.
Most recently, the Route70 Cruisers participated in the Adopt-A-Room Program for the McDowell County Friendship Home for Women and Children. The shelter experienced water damage in all of its 18 rooms in 2010, due to a leaky roof.
The Cruisers formed a committee to coordinate volunteers and complete the task. Lowe’s of Marion provided a list of materials that would be required to refurbish the damaged quarters.
Car club member Phillip Poe said volunteers laid down new laminate flooring, filled holes in the wall and then spackled and painted them, reconstructed an existing closet and installed a new window.
“We also boxed in pipes that were exposed and fixed electrical issues,” he said.
The cost for the project totaled $1,100.
The room’s occupants, Penny Davis and Sandra Moon, said they were very glad the club had remodeled and were enjoying their comfy quarters.
“It was in pretty bad shape,” said Davis. “I stayed in here before and it’s a whole lot better now.”
Davis and Moon were able to move into the classic car-themed room over the weekend.
Poe said members who volunteered (Ray Burnette, Joel Allison, Hurricane Jackson, Norman Branch, Tommy Wilson, Mindy Watson and Jim Young), combined with the efforts of all car club members, helped make the project possible.
The Route70 Cruisers hold cruise-ins for charity every third Saturday, beginning at 3 p.m., in downtown Old Fort. All proceeds are put back into McDowell County. The Mountain Thunder Car Show will take place April 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during Old Fort’s Pioneer Day event.
The group was established in 2008. They are up to 125 in membership and include local individuals and those as far away as Canada.
“We include cars, trucks, motorcycles, even tractors at our cruise-ins,” said Janet Spake, co-chair member. “We also get together for group cruises and take trips to the parkway, Biltmore House and a lot of other places.”
Those who share a passion for classic cars and charity are encouraged to visit www.route70cruisers.com and join the club.
The group says it has this common goal: “To cruise, enjoy our cars and enjoy being with family, friends and cruisers with the same common interest. Cars were made to be driven and enjoyed!”
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