Kars for Kids Event - want your thoughts

[nj1001]

Fellas -

Recently, my aunt asked me for a pic of my car. She's not really a car gal, so I asked why. Turns out, she's a tutor for a kid with ADHD, and promised to send him the pic if he studied hard and met some goals. When I heard this, of course I offered to take him for a ride as well. This small token really lit a fire in him, and he got it done. This was about the same time I attended my first Cars & Coffee Event (awesome).
After these two events, I had a thought: wouldn't it be cool to do a C&C-like event, but targeted to kids - especially those who might need/enjoy it the most.
Work with a Children's Hospital, get the other local car forums involved, maybe give short rides just up and down the street, give out a Hot Wheels version to memorialize the day, etc.
Have you guys attended/ heard of any events like this?
Some issues:
- parents letting their kids get into a car with some random person
- liability if something happened or somebody claimed something happened
- in-patient kids being too sick to attend, and out-patient kids being well, out-patient, so not around for the hospital staff to coordinate (this is probab easy to get around)
- what else?

I remember how great it was for me to see a cool car when I was a kid. The fact is, every one of us has the power to make a kid's day/week. To do so for one that could really use a break would be an honor, and seems like a great way to pay back/forward any good things people have done for us.

Would love to hear thoughts.

NJ

 

[txviper]

Peak on here is part of a benefit like that. Not sure of the particulars, but several guys with exotics give rides for donations. All the proceeds got to the benefit for the children. Maybe he can chime in if he gets on.

But to answer your question, I would imagine there is a level of liability that is accepted there. One would just have to be very careful.

 

[Sinovac]

NJ,

I applaud you for getting involved in something like this. I'm sure you will find it very rewarding. Cool cars provide welcome relief for these kids. You should contact your local Make a Wish chapter. You will find someone who can help you. I would be happy to give you some tips on liability waivers and other matters. I'll send you a PM with my cell number.

Paul

 

[bonehead]

Member Superfly and I believe Colton72 just participated in something similar recently for children with cancer. Sounds like a great way to put some miles on the car.

 

[fjpikul]

I've done it at a local track for St. Louis Children's Hospital. Despite Ferraris, Lambos, Vettes, Porsches, etc being there, the RED GT was the "it" car for parade laps. You'll need soemthing for the kids to sit on so they can see out the window and still be belted. We used coats as it was in the Spring. Good luck finding hot wheels cars.

 

[Colton74]

Superfly and I were involved in this twice this summer. When I can get to a computer I can give you my experience, or just send me a PM and I can fill you in if you would rather.

Steve

 

[pvgtX2]

A great idea, and as shown by the replies...something that happens at children's hospitals occasionally (but as far as I know, not in a totally organized manner as you are proposing). As thrilling as it would be for a kid to go on a ride in one of these cars, it may be almost as fun for them just to see the car up close, sit in it, ask questions about it etc. I can tell you that children's hospitals usually have a dedicated office that works to organize morale boosting things like this for kids. I would be happy to help in any way I can!

 

[THamonGT]

I think that would be a great idea to do in the Houston area from time to time. I do a lot of pictures with kids at car displays by letting kids sit in the drivers seat on the car cover bag so they can see out.

 

[Colton74]

Our experiences were absolutely fantastic. The events were well organized, supported and attended. I have included a link to one event and will relay my experience on that one as it was larger and more likely what you are looking to do.

It was a two day affair with day one being a morning event/media meet and greet, and a chance to take one child out on a parade lap. The lap went around the south side of our city and lasted about 20 minutes. I took a girl about 8 years old who had some surgery however for what I never asked. She was able to get herself in and out of the car and her parents met me before we went out. The parade was escorted by the local police however they allowed us to a limited amount of leeway on the rules. The look on her face when we all started rolling down the road was something I will never forget. Absolutely priceless. Following a quick coffee a number of cars went out to our newly constructed race track Castrol Raceway south of Edmonton. There the road track and the drag strip was open to all those that wanted to partake with no limits on speed etc (other than standard safety rules). I was not able to attend Friday during the day however by all accounts it was a lot of fun. Friday evening consisted of a group dinner, auction and entertainment at one of the local casinos. This I was able to attend and it was a great time. The auction went to our local Childrens hospital (Stollery Childrens) and Kids with Cancer.

On Saturday we all met (about 30 exotics/super/hypercars) at a local chain coffee house and as a group drove the 20 minutes to the track (causing some mass traffic jams and sore necks from the people we passed). At the track we gave a combination of sick kids and people who donated a minimum of $50 each for the chance to ride along. Again in the evening a dinner was hosted at a local restaurant with another auction with proceeds going to the causes.

It is my understanding that this event was put on in partnership with the local Childrens hospital and they arranged for the children to be selected and brought out to the events. The regular media outlets and social media was used to promote the event.

The cost to us was a prescribed tax deductible donation and was worth every penny.

The link to the event is below. Hope this was some help.

http://www.rfacedmonton.com/

Some tips relating to the track would be to have something shorter people can sit on to see, use the clear plastic film on your door sills to help with the shoe marks getting in and out and inform the people helping riders in and out to remind them to watch their heads on the door.

 

[PL510*Jeff]

I think that would be a great idea to do in the Houston area from time to time. I do a lot of pictures with kids at car displays by letting kids sit in the drivers seat on the car cover bag so they can see out.

I just let the "little ones" stand on the drivers seat so they can see out the windshield. And then have them photographed from "over the shoulder" so all the gages etc can be in the photo.

It's always amusing to see the parents reactions to this. It's always OMG.

 

[06fordgt]

Up here in Toronto they do a rally for kids with cancer to benefit the Sick Kids Hospital. Many tv and movie stars show up as co pilots as well. This year there was Kim Coates (Sons of Anarchy), Kevin Sorbo, Anthony Andrews to name just a few. Check out the website. www.rallyforkids.com.
Raised a ton of dough!

 

[fjpikul]

Canadian movie stars? Are they in beer commercials?

 

[06fordgt]

haha last time I checked quite a few were in American movies and on American tv!!!

 

[fjpikul]

Yes, and I would consider them "American" movie stars, not Canadian. Now I would consider "Canadian hockey stars" appropriate.

 

[Sinovac]

I see Frank is trying to break the "ugly American" stereotype. :lol

My best friend is Canadian and for some reason finds it offensive when I refer to Canada as the 51st state.

 

[nj1001]

Fellas -

First, sorry for the very late reply. Thank you all for your responses and encouragement. Special thanks to Bonehead, Frank, Colton74, pvgTX2 and Sinovac for their insights and offerings to help. Def got some good ideas from your input.

I had some conversations with hospitals in the area, and the reactions have been all over the map. Some have scoffed at the idea and just wanted a donation, and others were over the moon. Anyway, it's a little late in the season for us to do anything, but I am in the planning stages for a late Spring event. Let me know if anyone is up for a road trip to Chicago in May.

NJ

 

[06fordgt]

sinovac the way it is going down there i think Canada should take over the US!!! hahaha

 

[Sinovac]

Sadly, I can't argue with you.