On August 10th I had the pleasure of attending a "Kid Cruise" in Frankfort, Illinois. The program started out with all kinds of collector and special interest cars gathering in a downtown location called the Trolley Barn. There were about 70 cars of all kinds, quite a few Corvettes were there. At 6:30 we had a Police escort to the camp where the kids were all staying. As we were all pulling in to the staging and parking area, we could see the kids were all in a large group (62 of them) and were very excited we were there! Once we all registered with the camp people, the kids were given the signal to proceed to their favorite car. It was a scramble! These kids were all very excited, and my young passenger introduced himself as "Mason". Each kid also had a adult companion, but in my case the companion (Andy) found another ride. Once we were all loaded up, back to town we went with the Police escort again, this time it was a parade through the main streets before ending back at the Trolley Barn. Many of the town's residents were in their yards watching and waving as the parade went by! Everyone got free ice cream, anything they wanted! The kids all got a goody bag as well. After about an hour or so with a DJ and dancing in the parking lot, we loaded up again for the short trip back to the camp, again with a Police escort. My new 12-year-old friend Mason was really happy about the experience and excited to get a before and after photo of my car. This kid really likes Corvettes, but liked checking out the only Viper that was there as well.

Next year I will be back there, and will hopefully get to see my friend Mason again. Mason's cancer has been in remission for about 5 years, and at this time he's pretty much like any other kid his age. The part that gets me is some of those kids won't be there next year, and thats the hard part of life we all have to deal with sooner or later. These kids (and many others all over the world) are way too young to have to go through problems like this. I hope someday there will be a cure. In the meantime I will continue to help in small ways like this and other ways if I can.

Camp Quality is a Nation-Wide organization, and has camps all over the country. I don't know if this same program is done at any of the other camps, but if any of you are Chicago area people, watch for a thread on this around the end of July next year.

That sounds like a great way to put some cheer into kid's lives, if I were closer I'd love to participate.

Matt

got myself soft spot for things like that, do wish i could start something for the disabled and all children with diseases,
I am going to be checking into doing something...