Three and a half years ago, when friend and fellow automotive artist Paul Straus and I sat down to lunch, and hammered out a plan to try and raise some money for a bunch of deserving kids in Western New York; never in a million years could I have imagined how far it could go.
This past Friday, Saturday and Sunday, in conjunction with Andy Sackett/Show and Cruise News' Cavalcade of Customs Car Show, a dozen and a half of us raised $12,500.00 for the Center for Handicapped Children/CHC Learning Center.
And yes, you read that right. $12,500.00
Striping, lettering, flaming, gilding and otherwise embellishing anything show attendees could carry through the doors of the show, and holding two auctions of previously completed pieces; the following people jointly made a miracle happen:
Bruce "Dr Cas" Bowers Dana "The Rocket Signtist" Bowers "Peter Gunn" Cangemi Tom "Tomar" Warner Christopher "Zee Man" Zelasko Terry Buzcak Luke Scanlan Bruce "Hot Air" Rosier Ron Brent Mark "Slam Graphics" Matyjakowski Bob "Grumpa" Timmerman Dick Taporek Tramp Warner Mike "MJ" Van der Voet Clint Kiedel Ronnie "Ron D Voo" Lasker John Hodgins Paul Straus Myself
Additional Painted Pieces and Panel Art were also contributed by:
Bill "The Wagonmaster" Miller Jim Prohaska Jim Pelleiter Big Joe Sulpy Unkl Ian Howie Nisgor Alphonse Dente Sandy Hoffman Dave "Letterman" Jeffrey Cory "Trunk Monkey" Jeffrey Jim "Jimmy Shine" West Matt "Atomic One" Burfield
Our asses were kept busy by the Coordination and Collections Department (I promised not to call them "Counter Girls" anymore)
Cheryl Zelasko Margaret Straus Paulette Briskie Anne Timmerman Amy Lasker
And of course, our guest auctioneer and his lovely wife, all the way from Flushing, Michigan, Chuck and Jeannine Leighton.
Andy Sackett and his cast of several were as gracious as hosts could be, and a sincere tip of the hat to John Davis, of the Don Davis Auto Group for their generous support and unwavering dedication to this cause.
On a personal note, just prior to the presentaion to CHC, I was able to publicly recognize someone who has become a real inspiration to me, CHC Facilities Manager Mark Gentz, who's everything a human is supposed to be. And thanks again to Paul, Ron and Terry for working with me to honor Mark.
And finally, Thank You to the car people of Western New York...for everything we do would amount to nought without their support and generousity.
I'm still wipin' tears of my cheeks and One Shot offa my boots. Thank you all.
[ March 07, 2005, 03:37 PM: Message edited by: BrianTheBrush ]
Posted by Mark Matyjakowski (Member # 294) on :
Thanks back at ya! For one of the most rewarding weekends to add to my memories.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Brian, Although I was not a part of this benefit, I'm proud to be associated in any way with events of love and generosity like this! Thanks for doing it and thanks for letting us know, and thanks for letting us know in such a humble and gentle manner.
Posted by BrianTheBrush (Member # 1298) on :
Well Rick, working with the caliber of people I worked with all weekend, is very humbling and very gentling.
A side note if I may...
Unlike many similar fund-raising, "charity" events, there is no promoter involved in our project, nobody takes a cut of the proceeds, and nothing comes out of the jar for food or travel or lodging. We also discourage self-promotion at our event (nobody's handing out business cards, noone has there own banners, etc.), as that's not what we're there for.
There were no egos, no conflicts and no regrets that I'm aware of.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
There was a moment Saturday night that truly touched me...
A young man purchased a plastic car body from one of the venders at the show and brought it over to the corner to get it lettered and striped.
He emptied out his pockets and literally nickled and dimed his total up to five bucks. That was all the kid had.
So Terry Buzcak stripes this cool spider web on the hood and roof. Then he hands it off to me to letter "Black widow" on the sides. I did "Black" in 1/4" high script and "Widow" in 1/4" UC roman.
When the kid came to get his car, he asked Paul Straus to meet the guy who did the lettering. He stuck his hand out and told me that the lettering looked like it was printed on it was so clean and it far exceeded his wildest expectations of what he was going to get. He must have thanked me at least four times for such a kicking job.
It felt like I was absolutely buzzing, man. It was exhilarating. I could feel the hair on my neck standing up from the tingling. To have this young man seek me out and thank me for a job well down was incredible.
That moment will last in my memory for a goodly long time. I still can't stop smiling just thinking about it.
That is what this show is all about. The raising of needed funds, the smiles on the people's faces., just the overall joy of sharing time with you'ns all.
Brian and Paul, thank you asking Dana and I to come play. You can count on us again, that is for dang sure!
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
Can Stevo and I come to play next year? Sounds like a worthy cause. Love....Jill
Posted by Dawn Ellis (Member # 3529) on :
Brian, this is a truly inspiring fund raiser. Thanks for sharring and kudos to you for being an integral part of it. I felt warm and fuzzy just reading about everyone's experience. I'm sure all the folks who contributed had a great time.
Posted by Luke Scanlan (Member # 2481) on :
This was a truely gratifying weekend. Thanks again, for letting me be a part of it. $12,500!! I still can't believe it. That's great!
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
I'm happy to see you back at Letterville. Just today I visited your website and found it and your work very exciting.
Can you ever forgive me Posted by Dana Bowers (Member # 780) on :
I only wish we could have made it back on Sunday as well, to be there for when the final count was announced.
When Peter called last night to let me know the total, I about flipped!!! WOW! I'm really happy I can say I had a little tiny hand in that!
We will have to plan out the weekend a little better next year, so we can be there more.
It was great to see everyone again! Thanks for all the good food, too. Especially for the fruit and veggies! I snarfed down plenty of those!
See ya next year!!
- Dana... the flower lady...
Posted by Mark Matyjakowski (Member # 294) on :
couple of my crappy pics ... of the "candy counter" .
.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Most every piece I see there would be something I could treasure. Humanity is given a gift by the art created and some kids get a gift from what happens with the money. An example I'd want to emulate.
Posted by Dana Bowers (Member # 780) on :
Thanks for posting the pictures Mark.
Hey, Brian... can you get Paul to post some of the photos he took, too?
Posted by Dan Streicher (Member # 4515) on :
Congrats to all of you, it is nice to see something positive and productive Keep on Keepin on Brian the Brush, you are doing good out there
Posted by BrianTheBrush (Member # 1298) on :
Dana,
The pictures that Paul was taking, much like the pictures Paulette was taking, were with film cameras. I don't think Paul has a scanner, but I'm sure he can send me prints. Paulette is taking ours in tomorrow.
I had my digital in my bag all weekend, but alas, I have the attention span of a gnat, and everytime I set out to get it and shoot a few, I got sidetracked.
I will check with Jan from CHC Learning Center though, to see what she got.
Again, it was a priviledge working with all of you for such a worthy cause.
B the B
Posted by Alphonse Dente (Member # 4993) on :
I got an email from Tramp, and he said that my panel sold for $75.00 without even going to the auction. I couldn't be more thrilled.
Next year, I promise I'll send a few more!
My hat is off to those who arranged that event.
-Al
Posted by Barry Branscum (Member # 445) on :
Way cool Brian! Awesome event and worthy cause!!
If ya do it next year, I'd be honored if you'd give me the chance to contribute a little something.
(BTW, thanks for your email the other day... Actually made my afternoon! Sorry I haven't responded personally to you before this.)
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