Oh How Special It Is!

Last Saturday’s Special Gathering to benefit Mothers Against Drunk Driving and to celebrate CARCHEX’s Grand Opening at Hunt Valley Towne Centre was a tremendous success!  While it was impossible to converse with everyone, I encountered people from throughout the region that expressed great pride in our enthusiast community.  Thank you for waking early and participating.  Friends and family that may be on the outside of the enthusiast community may think that you’re crazy to wake up on Saturday morning to arrive between 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM for a ‘Special something-or-other’ automotive event.  Your type of ‘early-waking car, truck and SUV crazy’ is truly special and is welcomed in Hunt Valley with open arms.

CARCHEX hit a home run with their alignment with MADD and the appearance by MADD’s National President Jan Withers.  Every single donation, no matter the size, was appreciated!  The Rolling Games Mania Gaming Trailer provided by CARCHEX was enjoyed by the kids and the kids at heart.  Last but not least, since we’re in the heart of Ravens country, the Ravens Photo Session with Justin Tucker and Jimmy Smith was a tremendous success.  Justin even took the time to Skype with one of our community regulars that was on a college trip in Europe.  Its all about the community, giving back and making memories.

Hunt Valley Towne Centre’s new security company, Assured Protection, was introduced to our Special Gathering platform.  Via their team of 9 security personnel, there was a constant presence at the Shawan Road entrance, along the access road and within our gathering area for increased safety, guideline enforcement and parking guidance.  Excellent work!

There were many comments that the morning’s activities flowed with increased efficiency.  That can be attributed to our respectful community, the aforementioned team from Assured Protection but also, our esteemed team of volunteer parking directors.   On a beautiful morning that celebrates our common passion, it takes special people to exchange the enjoyment of the automobiles and the relaxing atmosphere for delivering guidelines handouts, directing traffic, providing parking assistance and answering community questions from 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM.  Here are the names of the volunteers that deserve grand commendation:  Bill Enfield of Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists of Baltimore, Layna Runner Lambert of The Shine Shop, Bill Heuerman Jr. of NAPA Auto Parts in Hunt Valley, Peter Bakalski and Oscar Fisher Jr.  Your dedication to the community provided everyone with a higher-quality experience and set a high bar for all of our future volunteers.  Thank you!

Now enjoy some time with family and friends at the parade, the barbecue in the backyard or on vacation at a distant locale.  For many, its a weekend of travel but if you’re local for your Saturday morning, it would be great to see you at Hunt Valley Horsepower.  What’s a good closer?  As community favorite Dave Serio would say, “You Auto Know.”  Happy 4th of July to all.