Car club cruises to bless others through funds they raise

By Elizabeth Ridenour
Assistant City Editor

March 29, 2008 12:25 am

— Editor’s note: Part of a series highlighting service organizations in Muskogee.

Time is the most important thing that you can give, because time is something that you never get back.
That’s the creed of the Cruis’n Angels Car Club.
And the group combines their donation of time with a hobby to make it more enjoyable.
“The cars are our passion,” said Ronnie Brassfield, club president.
But Brassfield and the others are passionate about helping people, as well. The group has helped with food drives, provided toys to children in the hospital at Christmas, volunteered the use of their cars for parades, were a sponsor at the Kristi Fry Golf Tournament to benefit the Oklahoma School for the Blind, and donated money to a number of local and area charities, including the Good Shepherd Health Clinic, the club’s main charity, which operates on donations and the work of volunteers.
“We furnished vehicles for soldiers for the Veterans Day parade,” Brassfield, 49, said. “We gave $150 to a charity in Tahlequah — a drug rehab. Last year, we donated $4,000 to the Good Shepherd Health Clinic.”
The club was established in 1998 and is a non-profit organization made up of people from all over the area. They hold meetings at 7 p.m. the second Monday of every month at Hornback’s Restaurant, 102 E. Peak Blvd., and on Tuesdays and Saturdays they meet at Sonic Drive-In at York Street and Chandler Road to show off their cars, chat and further their friendships with other car lovers.
Brassfield has a 1971 Corvette and a 1980 Corvette.
“We’ve got a wide array of cars,” he said.
The upcoming annual car, truck and motorcycle show will be May 17 in the Phoenix-BancFirst Plaza at Second and Court streets.
Last year, a NASCAR collectable, die-cast car that was autographed by Jimmie Johnson brought in additional money. This year, the group plans to improve on that success by raffling off three autographed cars — one from Jimmie Johnson, one from Jeff Gordon and one from Dale Earnhardt Jr. Tickets will be $1 each or six for $5 and will be sold April 5 at Wal-Mart.
Sponsors and vendors are still needed to make the show a success to benefit the Good Shepherd Health Clinic.
Brassfield is working hard to make sure that happens. He’s got to raise enough money to make sure they cash prizes, trophies, awards and T-shirts are purchased.
“When you work for free, you stay real busy,” he said, and laughed.

Cruis’n Angels Car Club
• MEMBERSHIP: Cruis’n Angels Car Club has about 70 members
• PROJECTS: Main fundraiser is the annual Cruis’n Angels Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show held the third weekend in May. Benefits Good Shepherd Health Clinic.
• MEETS: 7 p.m. the second Monday of every month at Hornback’s Restaurant, 102 E. Peak Blvd.
The group also meets on Tuesdays and Saturdays at Sonic Drive-In at York Street and Chandler Road to visit and build friendships.
• TO JOIN: People who are interested in joining must have a car that’s at least 20 years old. Memberships are $15 for singles, $20 for couples. For information about how you can become a part of the Cruis’n Angels Car Club, call Ronnie Brassfield at 682-4463.
• ESTABLISHED: Local chapter founded in 1952. National group started in 1921.
• WEB SITE: www.cruisnangelscarclub.com.

What to do
If you would like to become a sponsor or a vendor, contact Ronnie Brassfield at 682-4463. Or for more information, check out the group’s Web site: www.cruisnangelscarclub.com

Reach Elizabeth Ridenour at 918-684-2929 or Click Here to Send Email

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