Proceeds from August car show net 10 nonprofits $1,100 each to help impact the community

ATASCADERO — At their latest meeting that took place at Round Table Pizza on Thursday, Nov. 16, the Mid State Cruizers donated $11,000 to local charities. The $11,000 was raised during their 32nd Annual Mid State Cruizers Car Show back in August. 

“This is our most exciting and best meeting of the year because we actually culminate all the work we do throughout the year on our car show, and we get to award very rewarding charities all of our money. This year turned out really good,” said Mid State Cruizers President Roy Barba at the start of the meeting.

Each of the 10 charities (out of the nominated 22) that the car club voted on was awarded $1,100, which is the most the Mid State Cruizers have ever been able to give out to the community. Barba noted that all 22 charities got a lot of votes.

This year’s charities were: Honor Flight, Atascadero High School Auto Shop, Atascadero Police Dept. D.A.R.E. Car (keeping car operational), Veterans Memorial Foundation, Boy Scout Troop #51, Atascadero High School Robotics (Greybots), Woods Humane Society, Boxes for Soldiers (Helping Soldiers in the Desert), Jack’s Helping Hand, and SLO Dream Makers.

Representatives from all 10 charities were there to pick up their $1,100 checks. It was clear that the money would be going back out into the community in huge ways, from keeping the Atascadero Police D.A.R.E. car running, helping out Atascadero’s youth, and supporting local veterans, to making last wishes for adults with terminal illnesses come true.

“Wow, you guys, I’m so overwhelmed by who you are, what you’re doing, and that you’ve done this for 32 years,” said SLO Dream Makers representative Dr. Ronda Beaman. “It moves me so much that you’re all here, and you’ve done this for so many nonprofits,” 

All of the money raised by the Mid State Cruizers and distributed to the 10 charities will be used to fund things that will directly impact the people each charity helps.

“That’s our 10, we very much appriciate them showing up and more than anything we appriate everybody that’s put so much effort into our car show. This is what it’s all about,” concluded Barba.

Next year’s Cruisin’ Weekend, which will include the 33rd Annual Mid State Cruizers Car Show, will take place on Aug. 16 and 17, 2024.

Feature Image: Representatives from all 10 nonprofits and members of the Mid State Cruizers are shown during the Cruizers’ donation ceremony at Round Table Pizza in Atascadero. Photo by Christianna Marks