The Langley Good Times Cruise-In will be giving a total of $86,000 to a variety of charities, as a result of the successful 2011 Cruise-In on Sept. 10.
President Riccardo Sestito said the amount of money raised at the car show was in line with the expectations of organizers, given the slower economic climate. The volunteer organization is working on initiatives that it hopes can boost the amount of money that goes to charity in future years.
The 2011 Cruise-In was the first in two years, after the 2010 event was cancelled due to a variety of concerns. The Cruise-In board wanted to bring the event back, but would not commit to doing so until those issues could be discussed. Sestito said that, in general, the 2011 event went very well.
He estimates that about 90,000 people attended the Langley City event, which took place in perfect summer weather.
The Cruise-In is a unique car show, in that it is run by volunteers and funds raised go to charity. The funds are raised by individual service organizations that operate concessions and other services, and by the Cruise-In organization through registrations, souvenir sales and other fundraisers.
The event has three main beneficiaries — Langley Stroke Recovery, Langley Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association. Other charities to benefit from this year’s event are St. John’s Ambulance, Brookswood dry grad, Vineyard Church and Kwantlen Polytechnic University Foundation.
In addition, local organizations Aldergrove Lions, Langley Lions, Langley Rotary Club, Sunrise Rotary Club, New Beginnings, Langley Legion,Langley Lodge, Langley Lacrosse, Langley Elks and Douglas Park Community School raised funds through offering various concessions and services.
Sestito was re-elected president of the Cruise-In board at Monday’s annual meeting. Vice-president is Eric Taylor. Sestito hopes to step back from some duties this year so that Taylor can become president next year.
Other directors re-elected are Dick Hooper, Keith Wilson, Audrey Stebanuk, Lori Watts and Mitch Desrochers.