Cruizin' for a Cause nights revving up

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During the past three years, Johnston Street Machines (JSM) has raised thousands of dollars for important charities throughout Rhode Island.

That terrific trend, which last year totaled $6,578.30 the JSM donated to five different non-profits, will continue for a third straight year beginning next Thursday evening with the highly-popular Cruizin’ for a Cause nights.

“Our last two years were very successful,” Gary W. Maddocks, the JSM President and one of four founding members, said. “It is again our intent to bring back to Johnston the nostalgic history of cars and cruise nights that used to be so prominent in the center of town at the old Burger Chef, Howard Johnson’s and Burger King.”

Maddocks announced that the classic car cruises, which features DJ-The Car Guy Richard George pumping old-time doo-wop like music into the night’s air from his portable trailer, will return to the Denny’s Restaurant parking lot on Hartford Avenue at 5 p.m. and run until 8 p.m.

For classic car owners, the weekly cruises provide the opportunity to show off their prize possessions and win a variety of prizes as well as trophies in a number of categories, including Best of Show. Steve Nelson, who owns and operates Nelson Oil, plans to donate 75 trophies for the 2017 season.

In keeping with its tradition, the JSM will again only ask for a $5 donation from each car owner that is combined with the night’s always-popular 50/50 drawing that makes up the monthly amount of money Maddocks and company will donate to the designated charity.

For area residents, it’s a unique chance to listen to those terrific tunes of yesteryear as well as participate in the night’s raffles and perhaps enjoy a bite to eat at either’s Denny’s All-American Restaurant or Five Guys Hamburgers, which Maddocks says “they both full support our cause and will offer discounts to car owners who donate $5 to show their cars.”

“Denny’s has been very supportive and will again give 20 percent off coupons to car owners who make the $5 entrance donation,” Maddocks explained. “Likewise, Five Guys Hamburgers will give 10 percent of their nightly sales to the JSM.”

Price Rite, which is also located in the Johnston Town Center off Hartford Avenue (Route 6), has in the past donated gift cards that the JSM also uses for prizes.

Maddocks also wanted it known that Knights Liquors, the newest tenant at the Center, “fully supports us as well and we very appreciative for each and every sponsor and business in the shopping plaza.”

Cruizin’ for a Cause, which will be held every Thursday evening through the end of September, will feature a number of firsts.

“Because of the many requests we’ve received the past two seasons, we’re making up T-shirts and jackets,” said Maddocks. “We are also making up coloring books for kids and we have Jim Weicherding on board to help us design the books.”

Those coloring books, Maddocks added, will be distributed at the events and inside Denny’s Restaurant and FM Global, which has agreed to print those coloring books for us.”

Maddocks also announced that FARA-Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance-will be the beneficiary of the first set of monthly cruises that will be held on May 4, 11, 18 and 25.

The Johnston Street Machines was established on April 3, 2015 by Maddocks, George Arakelian, his wife Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian and Anthony Ferranti, all of Johnston.. Their mission was to encourage classic cars, hot rods, street rods, muscle cars, motorcycles and any street machines used to sustain the history of street rodding and advance a positive image of safe street rodding through organizational activities.

Maddocks said, “Our goal is to promote interest in various forms of street rodding among members, their families and the community while also a social events that result with the JSM making charitable contribution to community-oriented non-profits.”

What promises to be the JSM’s biggest and best year ever will begin next Thursday, promptly at 5 p.m., in the Denny’s parking lot off Hartford Avenue – weather permitting.

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