Cruisin’ for a Cause brings in awesome vehicles at the Oasis Senior Center

 

[July 19, 2019] 

In spite of the very warm weather, Saturday at the Oasis Senior Center offered guests a great opportunity to see some fabulous cars, and more than a few were willing to sweat it out a bit in order to do so.

The second annual Cruisin’ for a Cause fundraiser car show was held at the Oasis and hosted by Special Olympics Lincoln Park District Team, United Riders of Central Illinois, and the Lincoln Jeep Club. Proceeds from the event went directly to the Special Olympics Team to help support the team activities and participation in Central Illinoi Special Olympic competitions.

While the highlight of the day was the vehicles, there were plenty of other activities at the family friendly event including bounce houses and a dunk tank for the youngsters, pulled pork lunches by Paulus Farms and Sugar Creek Bar-B-Que, silent auctions and raffles.

For the kids there was a special raffle for a new bicycle. There were several bikes on display inside the dining area at the Oasis. Every child was given one free raffle ticket. Each bike had a basket hanging from the handle bars.

Kids could choose which bike they wanted to try for and drop their ticket in the basket. At the end of the day a drawing was held for the bikes, and a good number of happy children were able to load up their prizes as they headed home.

The dining room at the Oasis was a very popular spot as guests took shelter in the air conditioned area, enjoyed a cold drink or a meal, or just spent time visiting with friends.

Around the car show, members of the Lincoln Park District Special Olympics Team helped out with the various activities alongside other volunteers.

Then of course, there were the vehicles. In the show were categories for cars, trucks, jeeps, and motorcycles.

Some of the motorcycles in the show were real show stoppers as folks would gather around a favorite bike and spend several minutes taking in the special features of the machine.

One such bike was decked out from front to back with a military/veteran theme and art work that would rival anything one would ever see at the Lincoln Art Institute.

On the car side, muscle cars ruled as visitors were able to visit with everything from classic muscle to newer hot Mustangs, Dodge Challengers and one amazing Corvette. The 2019 Stingray with vertical Lambo doors in pure white with black trim was a real show stopper. The car featured some tricked out lighting features as well as a mirrored interior hood that clearly reflected the hot motor that gives the car its spunk.

Quietly taking its spot between an orangey-red ‘57 Chevy and a hi-lo ’63, sat the pride and joy of local Chevrolet dealer Chris Graue. Graue last year ended his life-long quest to own his favorite car - a 1972 Chevy Chevelle SS when he made the perfect purchase at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Phoenix Arizona. The all original, matching number 454 is spotless and perfect in a dark sky blue with black racing stripes. The car is one that Graue has wanted to own for many years. He had searched for the right one for the last several years, and last year, completed his quest and brought his baby home to Lincoln.

Another exciting car in the line-up was the ‘53 Buick that has been re-done with special note to detail in purple and white, including the interior. The pin striping and latch-free doors add draw to the spectacular car. The purple and white theme is carried throughout the car with purple accents inside the engine well, on the motor and radiator, all the way to the purple and white interior. It is a real beauty.

Four-wheel drive pick-ups and a variety of Jeeps rounded out the show with the really big trucks – two semis owned by Clark Transportation in Lincoln, offered the grand finale of the collections.

Vehicles entered in the show paid an entry fee that went directly to the Special Olympics and were judged by a select group of volunteers. At the end of the day winners were announced. The proceeds from the entry fees, silent auction and raffles all went directly to the Special Olympic Team. The money will be used to purchase necessary sports equipment and uniforms, plus help with travel and meal expenses for the athletes.

[Nila Smith]