Corvettes for Kids revs up funds for 23rd year
By Michael Hays, mhays@pottsmerc.com
08/11/2008
WASHINGTON, Pa. — Many families face the undesirable choice of going without medical devices and procedures not covered by their health insurance, or paying thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for them.
When a child is born with a disability or life-threatening condition, it may seem like no real “choice” at all.
On Sunday, volunteers and car enthusiasts gathered at Washington Elementary School for the 23rd annual Corvettes for Kids event. The beneficiaries of this year’s fundraising are the Burnell family of Boyertown.
Dorian Burnell, 7, was born with spina bifida, a condition that forces him to use a wheelchair to get around. He uses forearm crutches for walking short distances.
Jason and Meghan, Dorian’s parents, had applied twice before to Corvettes for Kids but due to a large volume of applications, they were turned away. They both spoke in the auditorium, just before a rainstorm forced many Corvette owners to close their hoods and hit the road.
Meghan Burnell said she used to worry every year about how they would send Dorian to camp. Her son attends school at both Boyertown Elementary and Brookside Montessori.
Her husband, Jason, told those in attendance, “Thank you. That’s all I can really say is thank you.”
Chip Conrad, board president of the non-profit Corvettes for Kids, said the fundraising goal for this year’s event was $50,000. Among the items needed for the Burnells are ramps at their home.
Over the years, families have received wheelchair lifts for vehicles, touch-screen devices, air conditioning units and YMCA memberships, he explained.
“Anything that enhances quality of life for the child,” Conrad said.
One child required a Medivac helicopter to transport her to a medical facility in Pittsburgh. Corvettes for Kids can help defray moving costs to get a family closer to necessary services, Conrad said.
Money is raised in several ways — personal and business donations, $20 Corvette registrations, the sale of t-shirts, baked goods and books, and the auctioning of items.
More than 100 auction prizes included an autographed Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs baseball, back-to-school supplies, a rug, a tea and cookies package, and an eight-hour New York City boat charter.
Another revenue generator was the dunk tank.
Brian Plowfield dunked his coach with back-to-back direct hits. Plowfield, who plays right field on a Little League baseball team, faired better than his dad, Ed, who was haggled by the crowd for missing a few throws.
Several kids were briefly distracted from their efforts when Darth Vader and several Star Wars “storm troopers” walked by and shook hands. The characters were presented by Garrison Carida, a chapter of the 501st Legion.
Dorian Burnell also sent a coach into the water at the dunk tank. As spokeschild for Sunday’s event, he was to pick his favorite Corvette out of a full parking lot.
A couple from Maryland brought their twin 1957 sky blue Corvettes to the show, along with several props. One of the cars had a drive-in style fast food tray attached to the door, complete with a plastic burger and soda. A yellow “children’s crossing” sign sat in front of the cars, which were parked on the grass at the school.
Mary Lou Gilbert, who made the trip with her husband Larry, explained how their three older children have already staked individual claims to the couple’s three classic cars (when that time arrives).
One of the ‘57 Corvettes was a birthday present, she said. The Gilberts found the other at a junkyard and refurbished it.
“They were using it as a parts car,” she said.
Both still run well on the road, although the Gilberts won’t push them past 100 miles in a single trip.
Elsewhere, Mark Stahl, of the Sanatoga area, rode his 2000 black Corvette to the event along with his girlfriend, Jessica Brogley. Some might consider the car an upgrade from his first vehicle, a 1998 Mustang. He also owns a 1982 El Camino.
“That’s not running right now. It’s a project,” Stahl said.
Corvettes for Kids is based in Sassamansville. Nearly every annual event has been held at Washington Elementary School. Conrad noted that unlike some non-profit organizations, none of the officers or directors are paid for their time.
On the Web at www.corvettesforkidsinc.org..
http://www.pottstownmercury.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19902958&BRD=1674&PAG=461&dept_id=18041&rfi=6
Posted by Andrew 
Posted by Andrew 
Posted by Andrew 
