Drive for Cancer Event, May 15, 2010
Co-chairmen Dennis Wiebe and Don Bergen planned this event to take place on a warm spring day in May. They had a typical Manitoba surprise when Saturday dawned to a cloudy, snowy, rainy sub zero day! In spite of this, the energy and importance of the day brought out 38 cars and one very brave Steve Brown, who persisted to overcome this challenge of the weather, and rode his motorcycle throughout the entire route.
The central gathering place was the Altona Co-op Shopping Centre parking lot and precisely at 9:30 AM, we left to head for our registration destination, Janzen Pontiac in Winkler. Our very generous hosts, Jake and Paul Janzen had prepared a welcome with fresh pastry from the Winkler Bakery, hot coffee (Tim Horton’s), and everyone registering for the day got a free hat. They also started us off with a very generous donation to the cause. We spent an hour there getting the first drawing of our poker hands and then on to Syl’s Drive Inn in Carman. All vehicles received a pink ribbon sewn by Betty Wiebe which is indicative of our “Drive for Cancer”.
In past years, we have donated half of the amount raised to Cancer Care MB and half to South Central Cancer Resource working out of Boundary Trails. Because SSCR does not receive any federal or provincial funding and work only on donations, we decided this year to donate the entire amount raised to them. This made a difference in the pledges and people were very generous in supporting this wonderful local group who do such good work.
The new owners of Syl’s welcomed us and gave us a great deal on their famous cheeseburger platter and we stayed there for an hour and a half. Their bug proof sunroom was very effective as no one had any mosquitoes bothering them, and a propane heater made it a welcome escape to the snow, sleet, and rain that were part of the welcoming. There weren’t the usual number of spectators at any of our stops due to the weather, as each destination is a mini car show.
After lunch, we headed to Warky’s Meatza Place in Morden where Ron and his staff served up their famous burgers and home fries to those who hadn’t eaten in Carman. After an hour of bonding, we headed to our next stop, The Sunset Drive Inn in Plum Coulee.
Famous for their homemade cinnamon buns and coffee, the treats were on them, which we all enjoyed. An hour later we headed for our final destination, Rhineland Car Company in Altona.
Roy, Earl, and Jim Dick were there to host the final leg of our journey. They made us feel very welcome with tables and chairs set up and a number of door prizes which they generously donated. Al Friesen from Golden West was on hand with the PA system and Dennis Wiebe took over an MC. We broke last year’s record donation of $16,180 with our new “BEST EVER” figure of $18. 975. Executive Director of South Central Cancer Resource Jo-anne Robbins informed the audience of the good work they are doing. With the passing of their chairman Don Alexander, they now have two co-chairs to take his place. We were introduced to one of them, Ila Swain from Roland, who accepted the cheque from Dennis Wiebe. The poker derby was won by Don Elias ($97.50), coming in second was Kurt Wiebe ($55.00) and Elfie Elias took third ($37.50). The winners turned over their winnings to the cause.
After the ceremony came the food, pork on a bun donated by Winkler Wholesale Meats. “Team Toews” Gerald and his wife Linda did the cooking and we also enjoyed Linda’s famous baked brown beans which they donated as well. With our appetites quenched, and a satisfactory result to this very important day, we all went home knowing it was a great way to start off the Classic Car Season. Legends wishes to thank all those who made this day such a success, and promise better weather next year as we will move up the day by at least two weeks.