Rockland club gets ready to cruise for kids with car show, dunk tank
By Laura Incalcaterra
The Journal News • July 22, 2008
STONY POINT - The Neighborhood Cruisers love their classic cars, but they love children even more.
Just a year after forming in 2001, the club had launched its annual Cruisin' For Kids Benefit to raise funds for children facing serious mental and physical challenges.
This year's event will take place Aug. 3 at North Rockland High School and is to feature a car, motorcycle and truck show, along with children's activities, live music and food.
The featured activity this year will be a dunk tank where visitors may try to drop Stony Point Town Supervisor Phil Marino and Town Board member Steve Cole-Hatchard into a tank of water.
Club President Bob DuBois said it's all for a good cause.
"It's a labor of love for us," DuBois said. "We're all volunteers. We want people to come out and enjoy themselves."
While having a good time, attendees also will help raise money for three families who have good use for it. The families visited club members last night during their weekly classic car gathering at Gennaro's restaurant on Route 9W in Stony Point.
Things have been rough for Lee-Ann Walker Odell's family, but she said last night she was pleased by the support shown by club members.
"I feel blessed because I got to a point in my life where I thought there was no hope," Odell said.
Her son, Gary Odell Jr., 2, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and, although he has a mild form, cannot walk, speak or sit up without assistance.
He needs expensive leg braces to provide his ankles and legs with the stability necessary to one day allow him to walk, Lee-Ann Walker Odell said. She may use some of the proceeds from the benefit to start paying for the braces, the Stony Point woman said.
Odell's husband works, but the bills come faster than the money, she said, and her son is not the only one facing challenges. Her oldest daughter has autism.
Lanie Pearce, 15, of New City also was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and has little control of her body, but her cognitive function is fine, her mother, Karole Pearce, said.
Lanie can answer yes or no questions by touching her hand to the appropriate word on the work tray attached to her wheelchair, which she can drive using an eye-controlled computer system.
Karole Pearce said she would like to install a lift device in her home to help make it easier to move Lanie now that she is getting older.
Despite the serious challenges facing the children, all three families appeared to be enjoying the club show last night.
The sound of 1950s music blared from the speakers, while families gathered at picnic tables and car-lovers checked out a range of classics, including a 1967 black Chevy Nova and a 1938 purple Chevy Coupe.
Jaden Rodriguez, 6, of Haverstraw was born with Pallister Killian Mosaic Syndrome, said his mother, Crystal Diaz.
Jaden has 47 chromosomes instead of 46, Diaz said. He cannot walk or talk, and his mother would like to use some of the proceeds to buy a stroller that can accommodate Jaden. She said his wheelchair was often difficult to maneuver.
All three mothers, who expressed reluctance at telling their family's story to the public, said they were made to feel comfortable and welcomed by Grace Christakos, the club's vice president.
"They're like our own," Christakos said, "them and their families."
DuBois said he hoped that anyone interested in helping with the fundraiser would follow through and attend the benefit or make a donation. He is concerned that a dampened economy might impact the amount of money to be raised for the families.
