Hospice care counts on Cruisers' check

Newsboy photo/ Sharon Kerr CAN YOU CALL THIS A HOT CHECK if it was earned by hot rods? The Lakes Area Cruisers gave a check for $7,000, the profits from their November car show, to Jeanette Coffield, center, executive director of Lakes Area Hospice.

Lakes Area Cruisers presented their favorite charity, Lakes Area Hospice, with a check for $7,000 last Wednesday, Dec. 19.

The November car show is the Cruisers only show and fund raiser, according to club president Alvin Prewitt.

"We attend a lot of shows, but this one's ours," Prewitt said. "And we're proud to be able to help the hospice and keep our donation local."

This year several hundred people came by the show at the Ramada Inn in Jasper to view 148 antique cars that came as far as Odessa. Counting clubowned cars, approximately 165 were on display.

"All the vehicles in our show are road worthy," said Onnie Weaver, who has more than a dozen cars. "We don't allow trailer queens."

Prewitt said the club chose Lakes Area Hospice to be their charity because "the hospice is such a worthy cause that we understand first hand."

Newsboy photo/ Sharon Kerr ONNIE WEAVER puts a little extra shine on his 1937 Sedan parked beside Lakes Area Hospice on Ethel Street.

At least three of the 37 club members have used hospice services for a family member.

Jim Blankenship said his wife Helen, was diagnosed with cancer several years ago. Helen Blankenship was known to many in Jasper as a schoolteacher for more than 26 years.

"She had cancer of the lungs. She never smoked, but it happens. She was given nine months to live, but she survived four years. The last six months she was in hospice care, and I don't know what we would have done without them."

Lakes Area Hospice is the only non-profit hospice program in the area and relies on donations.

"We never turn anyone away," said Britta Cobb, the volunteer coordinator for LAH. "We used last year's check to help with patients who couldn't afford our services and their medicines. Donations are what a nonprofit runs on."

Prewitt said the Cruisers have donated more than $20,000 over the last three years.