Proceeds to Benefit Special Olympics of Wabash County
WABASH,IN Northern Indiana Aviation Announces Its Annual Summer Nights Cruise-In Proceeds to Benefit Special Olympics of Wabash County
Northern Indiana Aviation has announced its annual “Summer Nights Cruise-In” for July 23th from 5-8 pm at the Wabash Municipal Airport (283W. 400S.). Proceeds from this event benefit the Special Olympics of Wabash County.
Jeff Traver, owner of Northern Indiana Aviation, stated “The Special Olympics of Wabash County is very personal to me. My daughter Alley is a participating athlete. What the organization does for its athletes is great and we want to support them as much as we can.” Traver went on to comment that athletes participate annually in many different sports. He stated that, “Special Olympics finds a way for every athlete, no matter their financial situation or physical abilities, to participate”.
Doug Adams, Wabash County Coordinator for the Special Olympics, explained exactly what the funds raised will be used for, “Just like any other budget it takes a given amount of money to run a program. There is a basic budget that is required to get us through a given year. Additional moneys allow us to provide our athletes with some little extras like matching shirts and short for summer games. It costs approximately $250.00 to fund an athlete who participates in all of our sports annually.”
Adams went on to say, “Special Olympics is great for our athletes to be involved in. They participate with their old friends and new friends in a team effort and have total support for each other. Our volunteers and coaches work with the athletes on developing new skills and improve old ones.” He added, “Our participants are the truest definition of an athlete. At summer games this year I saw an athlete in a running event encouraging another athlete as she ran and slowed down to make sure the other athlete finished ahead of herself. That is athleticism at its finest”
Abby Hoy, who has coordinated the event the past two years stated that, “The growth we saw last year at the Cruise-In was tremendous, which has opened up some new opportunities for us. We are excited to include Waldo Wright’s Flying Services to the agenda this year. They will be offering open cockpit biplane rides for $75 per flight. It’s a once in a lifetime experience to fly with the classic leather helmet and goggles, there are only 8 biplanes nationwide still flying!”
Hoy went on to mention that the “City Rides” will still be available for $10 each in a closed cockpit plane. Both of these options donate proceeds to the event and are available from 10 am till dusk at the Wabash Municipal Airport.
The Cruise-In is free of charge for both attendees and participants; free will donations will be accepted. Car registration will be from 5 – 7 pm with the first 50 car receiving a dash plaque. Winners will be announced at 8 pm with trophies awarded for the top twenty cars and “Athlete’s Choice”. There will be live music and pulled pork dinners from Poole’s Meat Market will be available for $5.00 each. There will also be raffle prizes from many different local businesses. Tickets will sell for $1 each or 6 for $5.
