View the video of the 2010 Check Presentation here...
As volunteers/committee members for the ACCS, we rarely get the chance to see any of the fruits of our labor. Probably because our nose is to the grindstone, behind the scenes, working year round, planning for the next year and because we love the car show so much. It is more than merely our passion; it is our enjoyment, relaxation with our ‘family’.
So when we were asked if we would like to present the checks to the Anoka Brotherhood Council (Anoka County emergency food shelf) and the city of Anoka, on behalf of ACCS, we were humbled and honored. At the November 15th City Hall meeting we had the pure pleasure of presenting the checks. The room was full and we were the first on the agenda. Linda from the Anoka Chamber of Commerce gave a very touching speech on the quality our show. She enthusiastically spoke on the cars and drivers that come each week. She spoke on the quality of the vendors and all of the volunteers and what we have to look forward to in the next year. For years, 
everyone has thought of our beloved car show as 'that cute little car show in Anoka'. After kudos were given to both the car show and the volunteers, who have turned this into one of the largest and best run car shows in the state of Minnesota, Dave Walters and Bill Turok presented the check to the City of Anoka to Anoka Mayor Phil Rice for $4,471.33. There were gasps of surprise in the room, most from the City Council and the Mayor himself. The City will then in turn, hand that over to two different charities: Alexandra House and Youth First - Community of Promise.
Once that check had been presented, I got the extreme honor of presenting the check for $2,314.10 to Ernie Larson, with the Anoka Brotherhood Council that serves all of Anoka County as the emergency food shelf. He got quite emotional as we handed it to him. He stated it was coming just in time for the holidays. Once we were done and in the hall, Ernie gave us some information that we weren’t aware of.
1. Did you know that a little as 2 months ago they would serve about 23 families each day? However, as of yesterday, it has JUMPED to 62 families?
2. Did you know that as we get closer to the holidays, the shelves get emptier quicker?
3. Did you know that although they do appreciate the actual food donations so very much, when they get a check for say $25, they take that and go purchase directly from the manufacturer? Which means that the $3.89 box of Cherrios that you gave to the food shelf would actually cost them only $0.28 to purchase direct? That's right, 28 CENTS!
4. Ernie Larson stated to me that the check that we gave to the food shelf of $2,314.10 will actually stretch out to between $7,000 and $8,000 worth of food!!! That is amazing to me. As he explained this to us, he got emotional. The feeding of hungry children in Anoka County is HIS passion. He was extremely grateful to all of the ACCS drivers for that generous contribution.
After the checks were presented, Jeff Weaver spoke directly to the council praising the car show and encouraging them to attend a show if they haven't. The quality, he stated was bar none. He reiterated that between 500-600 cars come each and every Saturday night and bring with them their "works of art." He observed that it must be in the millions of dollars that come specifically to downtown Anoka to frequent the eating establishments, etc. Mark Freeberg echoed. Both City Council members have volunteered at the car show, and we thank them for their help. Jeff thanked the volunteers, not only for working the show, but also the incredible talent of Karen Danielson, who handles the webpage and the writers. The Council members have been on the wepage and stated how impressed they were at the user friendly nature and how entertaining it is.
I have never felt so product to be a part of an organization such as this. Last night, made all of the headaches, hassles, and problem solving meetings SO incredibly worth it all. As fun as it was to present those checks, I am reminded that it wasn't given to them by me. This was made possible because of all of YOU!! Every single driver that brings those works of art, THANK YOU! So during this Christmas season, take comfort in this: You helped to feed quite a few families, most with very young children that would've gone hungry. You helped a mom and children feel safe from domestic violence. You helped a child get off the streets and get busy with constructive activities and getting mentored, instead of getting sucked into a gang. Not a bad year, is it? So we are looking forward to doing the same thing next year. It truly was touching to see how grateful these charities are. I would like to tell you now all this in case I forget to next summer...your three dollars each week is helping to feed the hungry in your community...
