Goodguys And Golden State Foods Team Up To Support Ronald Mcdonald HousesGoodguys has joined Golden State Foods, one of the nation's largest food processors and distributors, in GSF's ongoing and tireless effort to support Ronald McDonald House Charities. Initially, the alliance will benefit the children and families of the Ronald McDonald houses in four Goodguys event host-cities in 2005 with designs on spreading the effort nationwide in 2006. The "Cruisin' to Help Kids" got off to a very successful start at the Goodguys 8th Colorado Classic in Colorado Springs. The Ronald McDonald House of Colorado Springs brought children out to the event, introducing them to the wonderful world of hot rods and customs.
"I congratulate Goodguys for having the vision to give back to the communities where they host events," said GSF Foundation Executive Director Chuck Browne, himself a longtime hot rodder.
GSF and children from local Ronald McDonald Houses will collect donations at the the 4th Mid-Western Nationals, September 23-25, in Kansas City at Kansas Speedway; the 13th Lone Star Nationals, Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in Ft. Worth at Texas Motor Speedway; and at the 12th Southeastern Nationals, October 28-30 in Charlotte, North Carolina, at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
At the end of each event, Goodguys and Golden State Foods will match dollar for dollar the charitable donations collected throughout the weekend and will hold a special check presentation prior to the event's awards ceremony. Goodguys and GSF plan to build on this year's program and really get the ball rolling to help the kids for many years to come.
"We are proud to be helping these special children and their families by donating to the Ronald McDonald House Charities and showing them hot rods and custom cars up close," said Goodguys COO Marc Meadors. "We know the Goodguys members and participants will help the kids by donating what they can to support this very worthy cause."
Helping Out A Small Town
Dwight Strobel and Kent Booth have launched Valley Speed Shop to produce cars that transport owners to the wide-open days of "American Graffiti," cruising Main Street, malt shops, and drive-in movies.
They have recently relocated their fabrication facility to a classic restored 1922 art-deco warehouse located on the historic Lincoln Highway-the first true trans-continental highway in the United States. This brick and keystone facility, once the headquarters for Oakland automobiles, now turns out street rods, hot rods, musclecars, and race cars.
The partners have also managed to help out a small town in the progress of launching their new location. Prior to obtaining the building, their facility had been moving toward demolition in 2003 when Kent stepped in and offered to restore the dilapidated two-story structure. His efforts have produced a modern shop facility, an economic boost to the county, and a gathering place for nostalgic car lovers.
"It's been rewarding to return something to the community after their assistance with a jobs-based economic development grant," said Booth. "We had hoped that this might benefit the city and county some, but we had no idea how much energy and enthusiasm our building restoration and shop grand opening would create!"
Strobel said "the equipment and the techniques have advanced over the 40 years we've been building cars, but the pouring of our heart and soul into every project is something that still happens here at Valley Speed Shop."
For more information, write Valley Speed Shop,1515 16th Ave., Dept. SRM, Central City, NE 68826; call (308) 946-2520; or visit www.valleyspeedshop.com.
The Other Show In Columbus
The Central Ohio Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation has been hosting their Classic Auto Show and Cruise-In the weekend following Independence Day for the past 23 years. This event is the second largest fund-raiser for the foundation and the largest cruise-in and classic auto show combined in Central Ohio.