On Saturday, August 20th, two local Mustang groups from the Raleigh, NC area met for a different kind of drive - not totally cruising with cars this time, but a drive to raise funds and supplies for kids going back to school.
Tommy Thompson, co-founder of the South Wake 'Stangs club initiated the drive, in-part, because his daughter, Katelyn was heading back to school in a few days. That, coupled with the devasting COVID-related shortages of paper and cleaning products (among other items) in local schools led him to consider sponsoring a rally of both Mustangs AND school supplies.
Tommy stated, "Since we’re in post-pandemic mode and our club really hasn’t done anything because of the obvious, I started aconversation with the Admins of South Wake 'Stangs and said it’s time to do something. And being it’s the start of a new school year right now, how about a meet-and-greet of members we haven’t seen in a while and meet new members. Att he same time let’s do a school supply drive for a local Elementary School.Thinking this because some folks had it hard before the pandemic and even worse after the pandemic."
He began by contacting Sarah Simmons, Principal of Banks Road Elementary school in Raleigh and discussions began on how to organize the rally and determine what was needed for the school. Ms. Simmons sent Tommy a list, which in turn, Tommy posted on the South Wake 'Stangs Facebook page annoucing the rally. Tommy said, "I received positive feedback. Also, Aris Mantalvanos,the President of “Heart of Carolina Mustang Club“ (HCMC) chimed in and offered some ideas to hopefully drive the event to be big and offered that some of his members would participate."
The rally was now gaining momentum. Next, a place to hold it was needed. Tommy spoke with Bill Anderson, General Manager of Crossroads Ford ofFuquay-Varina (NC) and found he was more than willing to participate, offering not only a parking lot on-site to use for the myriad of Mustangs to park, but he also got the Crossraods employees to contribute to the fund raiser. Finally,Crossroads Ford offered a 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning for display and to collect the supplies. The amount of goods spilled out of the front compartment of the electric vehicle, as well as the truck bed!
Tommy stated, "The day of the event I was extremely happy with the turn out of members from both clubs - at least 40+Mustangs - and even more excited with the school supplies donated. I’d say an easy $700 plus worth of school supplies. So much care was shown for our community that day and built strong relationships with local businesses, and built a stronger Mustang relationship in our car community."
Quite a drive, wouldn't you say?
