Cruise Night a Huge Success

by Chris Lima

© Matthew Brown, Journal News

Contributor to NeighborhoodCruiser.org

Storm clouds and rain drops may have kept the classic cars home, but a little bad weather wasn't enough to stop the Neighborhood Cruisers from pouring a little sunshine on three local families lives.

Even Sugrue, an eight year old from Pomona, was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when he was just fifteen months old.

Brothers Jacob and Joshua Czaikowski, seven and four year olds from Nanuet, have had disabilities from their infancy. They suffered through ongoing seizures, a brain bleed, blood issues and a stroke. Josh, in addition, has a low form of spinal bifida.

© Matthew Brown, Journal News

Tyler Tobin, a six year old from Orangeburg, was discovered to have Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria. PNH is an acquired mutation that causes some or all of your body’s red blood cells to be destroyed by a process called hemolysis. Tyler underwent a bone marrow transplant and with lifelong medical observation there is hope Tyler has an opportunity to have a “normal” life.

Thanks to money raised through their annual car show, Cruisin for Kids, the Neighborhood Cruisers (a non profit car club from Stony Point, NY) were able to present three families with checks for $7,000 to help alleviate the financial burdens that come with having a child with special needs.

© Matthew Brown, Journal News

After the checks were handed out and the cake was served one of the families quieted the room; Bill Tobin (Tyler's father) wanted to make a speech.

What he said next surprised the entire room and shocked the club members.

Bill and Krissy Tobin remarked at the overwhelming generosity and support they've received from the community during Tyler's illness. The Tobin's asked that their portion of the proceeds be given back to the club and split amongst the Sugrues and the Czaikowskis.

To see photos from the event click here.

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Neighborhood Cruisers Highlighted on Patch.com

Local news reporter Rachel Rondon did a feature article on the Neighborhood Cruiser's annual fundraiser; Cruisin for Kids.

Click here to see Rachel Rondon's article and photos.

American flag waved over a large gathering of antique cars, vendors and spectators at the Cruisin’ For Kids Tenth Annual Benefit this past Saturday at North Rockland High School. Proceeds benefit families of Evan Sugrue, Pomona, Josh and Jacob Czaikowski, Nanuet, and Tyler Tobin, Orangeburg.

“The car club has a saying and it is, 'I’m a neighborhood cruiser and it feels good to give,'” said Bob DuBois, Neighborhood Cruisers, Club President. “This is our tenth year, we usually give away $5,000 to $8,000 per family. Things are off this year and corporate donations are down but we are still very proud to present this show to our honorees.”

“This is mainly the car show,” said Grace Christakos, Cruisin’ For Kids Director. “The families come today but it takes us about a week to put together all the donations and we give the families the checks at our Monday Cruise Night at Genero’s.”

“During the summer we have Monday Cruise Night at Genero’s in Stony Point, 146 North Liberty Drive Route 9W” said DuBois. “We put the cars on display, have picnic tables outside, there is music, trophies, 50/50 and prizes to make it fun. There is no charge, anyone can stop by.”

“The event is very nice. I have been coming here since it started,” said Justine, a spectator. "They seemed to have a nice turn out, glad the weather held up. I’m from Stony Point and everyone from the area knows about it."

“I work for ARC of Rockland and there is nothing better than to help someone with a need,” added Justine.

Honoree Evan Sugrue, 8, looked thrilled about the car show and he beamed wherever his father, Carl wheeled him in. From the family’s arrival, Evan was intent on seeing every car, especially the police car, which he he got a chance to turn on the siren.

“He was officially diagnosed at 15 months with Cerebal Palsy,” said Elena Shamkovica, Evan’s mother. “There are more challenges now that he is getting older. He wants to be independent, but he cannot be on his own like other kids. We try to let him be independent but it's tough. It can get pretty exhausting.”

“He goes to school and currently day camp at Jawanio. We cannot afford any additional therapies, besides school and camp, so we do the best we can on our own," said Shamkovia. “He is so happy and social. He has played buddy ball basketball and track and he might do soccer. Our family is very supportive, but it hard now that he is heavier. It’s difficult since he is so heavy, you have to have strength to take care of him.”

“Jawanio is amazing. They have been with him since 3 years old; they provide equipment, support and advice. It is a wonderful place,” said Shamkovia. “There are a lot of stuff in the community to help, you just have to find it.” 

“I have full faith when he gets older that he can be independent. I just know that he can do it,” said Shamkovica. “I think we have done a good job to make him feel like he can do anything he sets his mind to and he does not stop.”

Shamkovica added that she discovered ARC in the past year and the program, along with the people have been like family.

“There are no words. These are amazing people,” said Shamkovia, referring to the Neighborhood Cruisers. “My friend, who used to be my neighbor, brought me here last year and I filled out the application papers. We are really moved and so grateful for this. Almost feels like we don’t deserve it.”

”We started as a group of car lovers, locals from Stony Point,” said DuBois. “We had a good group, and thought it would be nice to form a car club. We put names in a hat and thus the neighborhood cruisers of Stony Point was born. We decided we would like to do something as a car club and decided on a benefit car show. When thinking of who to benefit, we thought of kids, kids with medical needs really need help.”

John Bender—Neighborhood Cruisers member and vendor sponsor—and Kristine Dana—R. DANA Pest Control and corporate sponsor—were seen driving around the car show in a golf cart.
“I have a car, a hot rod. I have been involved since the initial formation,” said Bender. “It’s the tenth anniversary and we prepare for the event all year. It is a lot of work but everyone leaves with a good feeling.”

“I do the car show each year and sponsor trophies for Monday cruise nights “ said Dana. “I show support but I am not a member because I do not have a car. I’m from the North Rockland area with a store on Samsondale.”

“Haunts for Hospics” is another community event that Bender and Dana sponsor. “It raised over $3,000 and we are going to do it again this year, on the last two weekends in October. I’m going to put up the website soon,” said Dana.

“Many members have more than one car. My wife has one car and I have two,” said DuBois. “A lot of husbands and wives both have cars, which makes our club unique. It makes weekend event enjoyable when both the husband and wife have a car and the family is involved. It helps create a family atmosphere.”

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Annual Fundraiser This Weekend

The Neighborhood Cruisers will be hosting their 10th Annual "Cruisin for Kids" Car Show this weekend at North Rockland High School in Thiells, NY.

The Car Show raises funds to help alleviate the financial hardships that come with having a child who has special needs. This year, the Cruisers have selected three families to be the recipients of this year's fundraiser.

For more information on the families, click here.

The annual car show features live bands, local vendors who've supported the Neighborhood Cruiser's efforts, and of course, classic cars from yesterday and today. There's a 50/50 raffle, a DJ, and tons of fun stuff for kids to do.

Most importantly, all the funds go towards a good cause.

Attending the car show? Click here to tell your friends on Facebook!

The Neighborhood Cruisers are a 501(c)3 non -profit organization whose primary goals is the betterment and protection of the community. The organization aids children and adults who are enduring financial and medical hardships.

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