Mid-State Cruizers logo

Community

Through our annual car shows at the Atascadero Lake Park the Mid-State Cruizers have supported Such activities as:
* Building the Pavillion at the Atascadero Lake
* Restoring the Dare car
* Helping the Womens' Shelter
* Scholarship for the high School students who are going to automotive school.

PRESS RELEASE

The Mid-State Cruizers have been out in force doubling as Santa's Helpers.  Once again for the 21st year the Cruizers have gifted local Charities with the profits from their Atascadero Lake Park Car Show.  We are proud to have been able to assist the Atascadero High School Body Shop with the purchase of Engine Stands to make life easier for their students.

(Photo #1 Mid-State Cruizers President Duane Powell and his wife Carleen, Body Shop Instructor Charlie Herrera, Cruizer vice president Dennis Cole, Treasurer Gayle Tavernetti, member Joe Montoya, and car show committee members, Carolyn and Jim Stone.)

The Cruizers not only participated in ringing the bell for the Salvation Army but also presented them with a hefty check.

(photo #2 Mid-State Cruizers Carolyn Stone, Joe Montoya, bell ringer and Cruizer secretary Lynda Montoya, Dennis Cole, Carleen and Duane Powell and Jim Stone)

One of the more immediate needs of ECHO was met by the Cruizers when they presented a check to Charlotte Byrne, ECHO board member to purchase the pads needed for their new warming center as well as providing for the rental of a portable potty.  The warming station is only open on rainy nights and for people that can't get into the shelter either because it is full or they don't meet the requirements to be admitted.  They are served a warm meal and can then sleep in the warming center in sleeping bags on the mats.  The Cruizers donation allowed the center to open immediately and help those that needed it on our first two rainy nights after thanksgiving.

(photo #3 Cruizer Jim Stone, ECHO board member Charlotte Byrne, Cruizers Carolyn Stone, Joe Montoya, Gayle Tavernetti, Carleen and Duane Powell.)

Our next stops were to the new North County Women's Shelter that has moved from Atascadero to larger quarters in Paso Robles.  They can now assist more women and their children, providing them with a safe haven. The second stop helped put move food on the table for our local families at Loaves and Fishes in Atascadero.

(photo #4 Cruizers Gayle Tavernetti, Jim and Carolyn Stone, Joe Montoya and Dennis Cole, North County Women's Shelter Representative Sara Merrill and Cruizer President Duane and Carleen  Powell.)

(photo#5 Cruizer Gayle Tavernetti, Loaves and Fishes Representative Pat Giupre, and Cruizers Jim and Carolyn Stone, Dennis Cole, Joe Montoya, Duane and Carleen Powell.)

The Salvation Army wasn't the only bell the Cruizers helped ring brighter, they also presented a check to Operation School Bell.  This is an organization housed at the Santa Rosa Academic Academy that provides clothing, shoes and school supplies to students that have been forced by circumstances to do without.  You can't do your best in school if you are ashamed and worried about your appearance and always having to make do. 

Operation School Bell allows these kids to feel equal and gives them the self confidence they need to get ahead.

(photo #6 front row: Academy Secretary Linda accepting check from Mid-State Cruizer President Duane Powell, car show committee member Carolyn Stone, treasurer Gayle Tavernetti.  Back row: Cruizers Joe Montoya, Carleen Powell, vice president Dennis Cole, Secretary Lynda Montoya and car show committee member Jim Stone.)

The Cruizers did not forget their furry friends either.  As the economy continues to suffer, the number of homeless animals increases.  The North County Humane Society needs help feeding and vetting our homeless pets. 

(photo #7 Mid-State Cruizers Carolyn Stone, Mary Hawkins and Gayle Tavernetti present a check to the North County Humane Society representative Sheri Chapman.)

The other local Charities that were gifted with checks by the Mid-State Cruizers this year were: CASA; The Hospice Partners of San Luis Obispo County, Atascadero Branch; Escuela Del Rio; and Coats and Books for Kids.  The Kiwanis Club matched our donation for the books effectively doubling our contribution for the book purchase to Toys for Tots. 

The Mid-State Cruizers are looking forward to an even better Car Show next year and being able to help out our local charities even more. 

Anyone interested in more information on the Mid-State Cruizers can go to our web site at www.midstatecruizers.org. Come join us for fun helping our community, you don't have to own an antique car.