The 4th Annual North Pittsburgh Corvette Club Charity Cruise at Baierl Chevrolet was held on Sunday, June 25, to benefit the Spark of Hope. Our cruise continues to be a win, win, win event. Our club won because we were able to use our Corvettes in a charitable way to help people in need and to show what we can do by working together as a club, Baierl Chevrolet won by building goodwill and showing their support of our community and charity, and the individuals and families being supported by the Spark of Hope won. And on top of that, everyone has fun!! This year the weather was forecast for thunderstorms and rain. As a result there was a low turn out of Corvettes. Somehow the rain missed us except for an occasional light drizzle. Cudos to all of the club members who were able to attend this year’s cruise, thank you for making it a success. At the cruise there were about 50 Corvettes including Lee Baierl’s 1954 that had its roof off and hood up almost the entire cruise. Also Scott Berkey’s 2006 Z06 was there also with its hood up. Did anyone notice the supercharger in Bill Mays C5? I heard it pushes 513hp. Volunteers from the North Pittsburgh Corvette Club, the Spark of Hope and Baierl Chevrolet worked very hard in planning, promoting, obtaining donations and working at this years cruise to raise money to help those less fortunate than themselves in the North Side and North Hills of Pittsburgh who receive help from the Spark of Hope. A total of $1,725 was raised at the cruise and will be given to the Spark of Hope. ALL cruise proceeds go to our charity. Thanks to all of the volunteers and everyone who attended our cruise. There was a small scheduling glitch this year with the North Hills Marching Band but Len and Band members really came through for us at the last minute. Some of the band parents were also helping out. We’ll be sure to support their cruise later this year. Hopefully some of these young folks will be future Corvette owners and club members. Cruise planning, communications and solicitations for Door and Chinese Auction prizes began in January and continued up to the day of the cruise. Our checkered flag waving Parking crew directed the Corvettes into the cruise, our Greeters welcomed them with a ticket for a free door prize and a dash plaque with photos of Jim and April Merriman’s 1990 Dark Green Coupe, and Chris and Barb Troianos 1990 Red Convertible w/Greenwood pkg, and a friendly smile. The 50/50 moved among the cars and cruisers encouraging everyone to take a chance. Our officer-at-large sold club apparel and accepted five applications for new members. At the Food tent the grilles were smoking and we sold hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, drinks, nachos and ice cream cones. DJ, John Holmes, played great oldies and handled our announcements with ease. We had three photographers who independently walked through the crowd taking photos. Look for the photos on our new website at http://www.np-cc.com/ The Spark of Hope brought their van and an information table with a photo board showing examples of their good work in our community. Al Adams and Iffi Ali from Baierl selected the winner of the Best of Show award. At one point Al and Iffi came back with a list of three great cars. They were asked to go back and select only one. Al said that this was really hard to do. The winning car was a beautiful triple black 1959 Corvette owned by Dick and Sue Babjack. They received an engraved wall plaque and a car detailing certificate from Baierl Chevrolet valued at $175. Dick and Sue won their Corvette in last years Holy Wisdom raffle and Dick told me he spent $40 on tickets. Wow!! They became new club members. The winner of the 50/50 raffle was club member Dick O’Rourke. He won $165.00. Way to go Dick. Hey doesn’t this guy also occasionally win the 50/50’s at club meetings? Thank you to our club members who made personal check donations to the Spark of Hope. Don’t forget when you’re doing your 2006 taxes that these donations are tax deductible. There were cruisers from other Western Pennsylvania Corvette Clubs. Many people, not driving Corvettes, spotted the cruise and drove in to check out the many beautiful Corvettes and supported the cruise by buying Food, Chinese Auction tickets and 50/50 tickets. Thanks to our many sponsors, including Baierl Chevrolet for so much, ITEX Trade/Barter for the DJ, Magician and Chinese Auction items, Print King for donating copy work, Clover Hill Foods and Golden Triangle for hot dogs and condiment packets, Holy Wisdom Church for their ice cream machine, Dunkin Donuts for their delicious donuts, and W.J. Beitler Trucking and Pepsi for our drinks. There were over 60 other sponsors who donated 137 Door prizes and 72 Chinese Auction prizes. I know that all of the cruisers and guests really liked their hats, t-shirts, dinners, gift certificates, mugs, baskets of goods, tools, seats, Corvette clothing, hair salon gift certificates and products, tire gift certificates, polish, movie tickets, restaurant gift certificates, etc. The most popular items at the Chinese Auction were the men’s and ladies Corvette watches. Thank you to ALL of our sponsors and to our club members who solicited donations. With your help our cruise was a success. The true winners are those who will benefit from our work through the contribution we make to the Spark of Hope. Did I mention that ALL cruise proceeds go to our charity? A special thanks to the cruise activity team leaders: - Al Adams and Iffi Ali (Baierl Chevrolet) for their work on the Best of Show
- Larry and Barb Lang, Rick and Cel Conwell for pulling together the Chinese Auction
- Tina Harper (Spark of Hope) for cruise Communications
- Al and Barb Adams for handling the Door Prizes
- Sam Capozzoli (Baierl Chevrolet) and Gloria Podrasky for running the Food
- Joy Weber for Greeting the cruisers and making them feel welcome
- Dave Dreher and Dave DeMario (Spark of Hope) for handling the Parking
- Ron Vandenbord and Jack Weber for running the 50/50 Raffle
- Tom Franczyk for selling club apparel and taking club membership applications
We had several club members who volunteered when asked to lead an activity this year for the first time, way to go. I also wanted to thank Judi O’Rourke, our club prez, for doing all of the cruise email communications to club members. A great job was done by everyone. Also for all of the planning and coordination of the cruise from North Pittsburgh Corvette Club - Dick O’Rourke and Denny Podrasky and from Baierl Chevrolet Jeff Nock (General Manager). It’s awesome how much support Baierl Chevrolet gives to our cruise. They are truly a great sponsor. Also a very big “Corvette Wave” to all of the North Pittsburgh Corvette Club members and to the Spark of Hope and Baierl Chevrolet folks who worked tirelessly at the cruise. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks again to everyone!!! I’m really proud to be associated with you and our club for the good work we do to help those in need. Denny Podrasky | 
