Ride supports mental health, local food bank
The fifth Sick Rides 4 Sick Kids took place in Oshawa on Saturday, June 30. Over the past few years, the event has supported the Durham chapter of Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and the Seventh Day Adventist Church food bank. (Photo supplied)
By Dave Flaherty/The Oshawa Express
Hundreds of car enthusiasts braved the sweltering heat this past holiday weekend in the name of charity.
The fifth Sick Rides 4 Sick Kids took place in Oshawa on Saturday, June 30.
The charity car show was started six years ago by David Distefano, Matt Hartford and Ray Velji, who passed away in 2016.
“The three of us came up with the idea. We are all car enthusiasts and we noticed a lack of charity car shows in Durham,” Distefano recalls, adding that it was trial by error in the beginning.
“We knew nothing about how to run a car show.”
Distefano says originally the event was in support of SickKids Foundation, which he called a “great cause”, but eventually they decided to distribute the funds locally.
Over the past few years, Sick Rides 4 Sick Kids has supported the Durham chapter of Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and the Seventh Day Adventist Church food bank.
This year’s event raised $2,234 for CMHA, and about $500 in food, clothing and toys was collected for the church
Distefano expected between 150 to 200 vehicles at Saturday’s event, featuring everything from modified speedsters to classic cars.
A number of awards were handed out at the end of the day, including the Kid’s Choice Award selected by children of entrants into the show.
Distefano says they don’t have too many extra activities, as the focus is really on showing off the vehicles and socializing.
“It’s really a just a day for relaxing and checking out the cars,” he says.
Donations can still be made by contacting sickrides4sickkids@gmail.com