Tomorrow: Cruisin’ for Kids Fundraiser to Benefit 3 Rockland Families

This Saturday, antique car collectors, neighborhood families and local vendors will come together to raise funds for three families in Rockland. All proceeds from this Cruisin For Kids fundraiser will assist in paying the medical bills of Jacob & Josh Czaikowski of Nanuet, Tyler Tobin of Orangeburg and Evan Sugrue of Pomona. This family friendly event, run by The Neighborhood Cruisers is Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at North Rockland High School, 106 Hammond Road in Thiells.

“It is a wonderful, wonderful thing that we do. We work all year for one day, but it is all worth it” said Christakos. “We decided to help the community and started very little having get togethers and giving money away, each year it grew.”

This year is the tenth year of Neighborhood Cruisers Antique Car Club, which helps different families with medical needs.

"This year we have three families with four children,” said Christakos. “This is a family fun day. Big, big event, we can get 200 cars, maybe more. There are clowns that come, DJs, bands donate their time.

They're a nonprofit and all the proceeds go to children. There is no charge for spectators, so anyone can come, but people have the opportunity to make donations while they are there.

If it rains, the show is canceled.

"It has only rained one year, so we are lucky,” said Christakos. “We go to different organizations, get donations from them and giveaway gifts, said Christakos. “TD Bank, big sponsor, will be there with a table talking with people, David Learner is also a sponsor. Dana Pest Control is a sponsor and Bee’s Nest does all of our food."

Vendors Include:

• Food
• Jewelry
• Pizza
• Funnel cake
• Ice cream man
• Gift baskets
• Purses
• Accessories
• Avon

“Everything that we raise is divided between the three families, it has to go to all of them. The one family with two boys gets the same amount as the other two families,” said Christakos. “We get information about families from word of mouth. I call the families, speak with them and receive information about their child’s medical condition. We gather all the information and then we choose families, ones that need it the most even though they all really need it.”

Meet the Families

– Information from Cruisinforkids.org

Jacob & Josh Czaikowski—Nanuet

Jacob is 6 ½ years old and Josh is 4. Both brothers have had disabilities from infancy. They were fed with a feeding tube due to being allergic to most formulas. They suffer through ongoing seizures, a brain bleed, blood issues and a stroke. Josh, in addition, has a low form of spinal bifida. Both boys have a tough time with their medical issues and require many medications and special needs. 

Tyler Tobin—Orangeburg

After many doctor visits and various diagnoses’, Tyler, 5, was discovered to have Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH). PNH is an acquired mutation that causes some or all of your body’s red blood cells (RBCs) to be destroyed by a process called hemolysis. Tyler underwent a bone marrow transplant and with lifelong medical observation, there is hope that Tyler will have an opportunity to have a “normal” life.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/tyler815

Evan Sugrue—Pomona

At 15 months Evan was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Now 8-years-old, he has spastic diplegia as well as a global developmental delay. He is also diagnosed with thrombocythemia, which is when the platelet count is too high and can cause clotting abnormalities. Evan has had many surgeries and receives occupational and speech therapy.  He does not let his disability keep him from playing outside with his friends.

The Neighborhood Cruisers are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose primary goals is the betterment and protection of the community. The organization aids children and adults who are enduring financial and medical hardships. Learn more at www.neighborhoodcruisers.org

Interested in Making a Donation? Write your check to:

Cruisin For Kids

P.O.Box 325

Tomkins Cove, NY 10986