Cruisin’ for Cause brings in big bucks for local Special Olympics team

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[July 09, 2023] 

Saturday was an “iffy” day where the weather was concerned. People may have wondered if the cool breezy temperatures would be accompanied by rain before the day was out.

While it did rain late in the evening, the gray skies and cool temperatures made for an ideal day for a cruise in at the Oasis Senior Center.

The event was hosted by the United Riders of Central Illinois, a local motorcycle club that each year holds the event as a fundraiser for the Lincoln Park District Special Olympics Team. This year, the event brought in over $9,000 for the Special Olympics Team. The money will be used to purchase sports equipment, uniforms, and help pay travel expenses to competitions.

The event included the car, truck, and motorcycle cruise in, which due to weather uncertainties may have been a bit smaller than in past years, but the vehicles there were quite interesting. Guests came out to see the vehicles, but to also enjoy lunch cooked by the motorcycle club, bounce houses for the kids, and a dunk tank for kids and adults to enjoy.

Inside the large dining area at the oasis, tables were filled with guests who came in to sit a spell, enjoy the coolness of the room, and to shop through the many raffle items on display.

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The group does a large raffle each year that includes purchasing tickets, then dropping as many as desired in the baskets of choice.

One very popular raffle item was 25 pounds of locally grown ground beef donated by the Fanning Family. Other items included Tupperware, power tools and tool sets, home decor, and baskets of fun and games for kids.

The group also offers a FREE bicycle raffle for kids of all ages. Every child gets one ticket then may place that ticket in the box attached to the handlebars of the bike they would love to take home at the end of the day.

In all, it was a good day for a cruise in and a great day for the Lincoln Park District Special Olympics Team and the United Riders of Central Illinois.

[Nila Smith]

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