Once again, a fun and successful reunion was held on the Thursday before Thanksgiving. The 2008 Rodders Reunion was a big success. It had the most attendees ever (again). There was plenty of social time, good home-style cooking, and slick cars and bikes were readily available to admire. Lots of old friends were reunited, and plenty of new friends were made.

But after it's all said and done, there is another reason for the good times. The proceeds of the evening are donated to benefit a very worthy cause. The Shriner's Hospitals have a long tradition of pediatric care, and specialize in the care of pediatric burn patients. Everyone who attends the reunion contributes towards the annual charitable donation that is made in the name of the Memphis Rodders Reunion to the Shriner's Burn Transportation Fund. This year, the reunion donation reached new heights due to an increase in attendance, personal donations, and newfound support from active local area car clubs.

The total donation to the Shriner's Burn Transportation Fund for 2008, reached an unexpected $16,000. Once again, this is more than double the prior donation record, and was only possible with the stepped up involvement of the reunions steadily growing list of supporters.

A strong start to this year's donation was provided by Minnesotan Ted Guth, who personally contributed $1,000 early in 2008. Ted has become a valued friend of the reunion by providing exceptional historical drag racing cars for display, and now this welcome financial contribution. A stand-up guy who shuns the limelight, Ted deserves acknowledgment for his support. Towing a race car from Minnesota is by itself an over-the-top effort, and the rest speaks for itself. Thank you Ted... you're always welcome at the Rodders Reunion.



This photo shows Jack Mabry, president of the Memphis Classic Chevy Club, presenting Larry Nolan with a check for $4,540. The MCCC holds an annual poker run and cookout each October, and this year the club spent considerable time and effort to rebuild a Chevrolet 350 engine, and sell tickets to win the motor as a prize at the Fun Run. All proceeds from the engine were contributed to the Rodders Reunion effort of supporting the Shriner's Burn Transportation Fund. This effort raised the total donation to a new record level, and the MCCC brought in 25% of the total donation raised. A hearty thanks to the MCCC for this unprecedented gesture.



Also adding to the donation were the Memphis Street Rods, who generously provided a $2,000 contribution from their club treasury. This was a surprise addition to the effort, and MSR president Mike Lyon gave words of praise to the fund raising aspect of the reunion as he presented their check to Larry Nolan. Many thanks to this long standing club for their involvement.

The Memphis Classic Chevy Club, and the Memphis Street Rods are both among the oldest active car clubs in the Memphis area. Each club not only made their respective contributions, but also were also well represented as reunion attendees, which further added to their support.

Of course, the primary source of the fund raising efforts are the reunion attendees themselves. If you were there, and there were just over 400 of you this year, that means you brought in the bulk of the donation by purchasing admission tickets, participating in the 50/50 and lucky number drawings, and taking home memorabilia offered for sale. Some winners of the drawings even gave back their winnings to bolster the final tally of the donation. We thank each of you for your support, and hope to see you again next year. Plans are already underway for 2009!

LK

Tags: Al Chymia, Rodders Reunion, Rodders Reunion News, Donation, Shriner's Burn Transportation Fund