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Trendway Benefit Helps Local Family
10.6.09 | Holland, MI | In January, 2009, Trendway employees sat down with Trendway Board Chairman Don Heeringa and President and CEO Bill Bundy to talk about the new year’s Cruise In benefit. The event had become a tradition that grew more popular each of its 7 consecutive years. This year, however, some questioned whether the show should go on. With everyone in the community feeling the effects of a battered economy, would people still be willing to participate and contribute? With misgivings, the team decided to go ahead with Don and Bill’s full support and encouragement. “We had our doubts,” admitted event co-chairman Ed Elzinga, “And then this happened,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief.
The eighth annual benefit that almost didn’t happen turned out to be a record breaker. Held on September 11, which has been proclaimed a National Day of Service and Remembrance, the festive crowd observed a solemn moment of silence in commemoration of the tragedy in 2001. Over 500 vehicles took part in the event, ranging from antique fire engines to sleek Corvettes, Smart Cars to fire-belching trucks. Even a yellow submarine joined the show. Besides viewing the amazing vehicles, the hundreds of attendees enjoyed food, raffles and children’s games.
The benefit, held to help the local Barr family cope with catastrophic medical expenses, raised over $30,000 – a record amount for a Cruise-In event. Trendway participants were particularly impressed with the generosity displayed by participants. Trendway President and CEO Bill Bundy spent part of the evening collecting contributions from vehicles as they entered the Trendway grounds where the event was held. “The requested donation for each car was five dollars,” Bundy explained “But it was amazing how many people handed us a $20, $50 and even $100 bill saying, “Keep the change”. People still are willing to help each other. It’s a testament to our community.”
The event was co-sponsored by Boar’s Head and Thrivent Financial. There was also extensive support from nearly 200 individual and corporate sponsors in the community providing products, services, gift certificates, and cash donations. All proceeds will go towards expenses for Brian and Pam Barr, who are both struggling with severe medical issues. To date this annual event has raised more than $114,000 to assist families from around the greater West Michigan area.
The eighth annual benefit that almost didn’t happen turned out to be a record breaker. Held on September 11, which has been proclaimed a National Day of Service and Remembrance, the festive crowd observed a solemn moment of silence in commemoration of the tragedy in 2001. Over 500 vehicles took part in the event, ranging from antique fire engines to sleek Corvettes, Smart Cars to fire-belching trucks. Even a yellow submarine joined the show. Besides viewing the amazing vehicles, the hundreds of attendees enjoyed food, raffles and children’s games.
The benefit, held to help the local Barr family cope with catastrophic medical expenses, raised over $30,000 – a record amount for a Cruise-In event. Trendway participants were particularly impressed with the generosity displayed by participants. Trendway President and CEO Bill Bundy spent part of the evening collecting contributions from vehicles as they entered the Trendway grounds where the event was held. “The requested donation for each car was five dollars,” Bundy explained “But it was amazing how many people handed us a $20, $50 and even $100 bill saying, “Keep the change”. People still are willing to help each other. It’s a testament to our community.”
The event was co-sponsored by Boar’s Head and Thrivent Financial. There was also extensive support from nearly 200 individual and corporate sponsors in the community providing products, services, gift certificates, and cash donations. All proceeds will go towards expenses for Brian and Pam Barr, who are both struggling with severe medical issues. To date this annual event has raised more than $114,000 to assist families from around the greater West Michigan area.
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