Dreamz II Reality (DIIR) provided the perfect backdrop to the FUN-Raiser at Bart’s Drive-In and The Beanery Wednesday evening. The gleaming collection of cars from this century and last drew people in for a charity event to support the Windsor Community Service Council (WCSC) Food and Fuel Banks and WIN-TV’s SEND Windsor to our Troops program.
Every Wednesday (weather permitting) from May to September Bart’s hosts the DIIR cruise. Mayor Donald Trinks calls it a “multi-generational car show” referring to the cars and their owners.
By utilizing the draw of the magnificent cars, trucks and motorcycles organizers hoped to pull in a crowd, and they did, nearly 100 people attended the event. Jerry Zayas, President of DIIR says his group likes to help out. “We’re a family friendly group from all walks of life.” The cars reflected the diversity of their owners; from a 1930 Model A Ford to a 2010 Chevy Camaro. And someone may be living a double life; there was even a gleaming Batman motorcycle on display.
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Everyone who dined at either Bart’s or The Beanery Wednesday night instantly contributed to the charities since the restaurants committed a percentage of their sales to the event. Other folks were able to participate in the tea-cup raffle or the 50/50 raffle by purchasing lengths of tickets to support the effort.
WIN-TV’s goal for the evening was to collect funds to defray the shipping costs of the SEND Windsor to our Troops packages. This weekend the SEND volunteers will pack up the monthly box of goodies and supplies for Windsor connected troops stationed overseas. WIN-TV Director Jenny Hawran reported, “A great group of volunteers spend a couple of hours packing the boxes. There is a whole stockpile of donations from the community that are taking up a big section of WIN-TV!” She smiled broadly and added, “We’re grateful for whatever donations we get. Everyone is so generous.”
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WCSC was also hoping for a boost. With children home from school and more families facing economic strife the WCSC Food bank has been hit especially hard this summer. WCSC member Ann Walsh noted that “The shelves have been bare a few times this summer.” The WCSC received a few donations of food and household supplies at the FUN-Raiser as well as monetary support that will be used for both the Food and Fuel banks.
DJ Peter Cee was the master of ceremonies and kept the place hopping with a mix of dance and party music. At the end of the evening he pulled the winners for the tea-cup raffle prizes donated from many Windsor Chamber Members.
As Jerry Zayas stepped up to hand out the "Best of..." awards for the various vehicles he was treated to a chorus of “Happy Birthday” - a day early.
And then the final prize of the night was the 50/50 raffle with a lucky winner garnering a $95 prize, which meant that the charities also received $95. The food, the cars, and the festivities seemed to make everyone a winner.
