R&W Club Frederick hosted its second annual Car and Motorcycle Show on July 31, which raised approximately $150 for Special Love/Camp Fantastic. Participants and spectators voted with their dollars for their favorite cars and motorcycles, and club members were treated to a free lunch provided by Sweet Lips BBQ.
To hear the engines of all cars and motorcycles entered in the show, click below:
A 1994 Ford Thunderbird, a 2006 Porsche 911-S, and a 1996 Chevy Camaro Z28 were just a few of the rides on display this summer at R&W Club Frederick’s second annual Car and Motorcycle Show.
“It’s a chance to raise money for a good cause,” said Geoff Seidel, one of the organizers of the event and program director for the Coordinating Center for Clinical Trials, NCI Office of the Director. “You put money in the bucket [for] the car you like, and that’s your vote. The car with the most money wins.”
This year’s first-place winner was Jean Eyler’s 1991 Chevy K1500 Sport Truck 4x4. Hoyt Matthai took home second-place honors for his 2002 Harley Davidson Deuce. Third place was a tie between Ricki Putman’s 1966 Chevy Corvair Monza convertible and Daryl Smith’s 1971 Chevy Chevelle. R&W Club members who attended the show were treated to free food from Sweet Lips BBQ.
“I think the cars are pretty,” said Debbie Green, systems analyst, Financial Operations Directorate. “I’m a Ford person, so I like the Mustangs. I’ll be here next year, but I’m definitely going to sign up as [an R&W Club] member and enjoy that food.”
Leidos Biomedical Research President Dave Heimbrook, Ph.D., brought his 2010 Triumph Thunderbird, and said he takes it out when he can.
“The other cars and bikes look great,” Heimbrook said. “I’m glad it was nice today so I could bring [the Thunderbird] in. I’m not a foul weather rider.”
Hoyt Matthai, project director, Fisher BioServices, said anytime it’s a nice day, it’s great to take his motorcycle out on the road.
“It’s not too fast, it’s comfortable, it’s everything an old man would like,” Matthai said.
Natasha Freeman, IT security manager, Data Science and Information Technology Program (DSITP), brought her son, Chris, 5, who said all the cars were fun to look it, but he had a favorite. “I like the blue one [1966 Ford GT350 Mustang with a blue and white paint job],” he said. “It’s good; I think it’s pretty cool because I want to be a police officer.”
The event raised approximately $150 for Camp Fantastic, a weeklong camp that is the hallmark program of Special Love, a nonprofit organization dedicated to children living with cancer.
“We are so thankful,” said Robin Couch Cardillo, development director at Special Love. “Groups like R&W Club Frederick make it possible for children with cancer to come to camp and get a break from doctors’ visits.”
Camp Fantastic includes all of the staple activities of summer camp, such as horseback riding, fishing, canoeing, and crafts. The camp is also equipped with a mobile infirmary that was set up by National Institutes of Health (NIH) staff.
“It’s a weeklong camp that allows children with cancer to just be kids again,” Cardillo said. “We are incredibly lucky and grateful for the people at the NIH who volunteer, setting up and manning the infirmary, and providing critical medical support throughout the week. It’s an impressive team and the kids love them!”
Last year, $180 was donated to the same program, according to Roxanne Angell, R&W Club Frederick chair and project manager, DSITP. She added that R&W Club Frederick supports the same charities as its parent organization, the NIH and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Recreation and Welfare Association. These charities include The Children’s Inn, Camp Fantastic, and Friends of Patients at the NIH (formerly Friends of the Clinical Center).
“Thanks to all who came out to support the R&W Club Frederick and Camp Fantastic,” Angell said. “The Car and Motorcycle Show, combined with a member-free lunch, continues to bring in many new R&W Club Frederick members, while supporting a great cause. The R&W Club Frederick is always looking for new ideas and new volunteers, so if you can volunteer for a few hours for one event, or volunteer to be on the working committee, please send us an e-mail, and a board member will be in touch.”
To learn more about R&W Club Frederick, visit the club’s website. You can donate online by going to the Special Love website.
Honorable mentions went to:
Karen Barber 2015 Chevy Camaro SS
Sharon Beck 1966 Ford GT350 Mustang
Jim Cherry 1994 Ford Thunderbird
Joe Cogliano 1996 Chevy Camaro Z28
Dave Heimbrook 2010 Triumph Thunderbird
Wasseem Khan 1972 Ford Mustang Convertible
Andrew Quong 2006 Porsche 911-S
Geoff Seidel 1990 Chevy Corvette Convertible