RIDES N SMILES 2010
by Bill Adam, photos by Pepe Delfino
The 2010
SAMA Rides N Smiles event, was once again held with the invaluable
assistance of our partner, the Homestead Miami Speedway, and saw record
attendance under clear skies. This year, we not only had patients from
Baptist Memorial Hospital, but also from Miami Children’s Hospital and
all were treated to the finest, and largest collection of “dream cars”
that we’ve ever had. Gasps and “wows” were heard from not only the
children but parents and even our own members. Vehicles were generously
brought down by:
Chevrolet Corvette GS
Ford Shelby GT500
Taurus SHO
Chrysler Dodge Charger
Dodge Viper
Nissan 370Z coupe
370Z roadster
Lexus Lexis ISF
Subaru WRX
Mazda MX5
Porsche GT3RS
Mercedes Benz SLS
AMG
Also brought down this year by good friends with huge hearts, were:
Corvette ZR1
Tom Gonzales
Ford GT
Bill Scherer
Ferrari California Ferrari Fort
Lauderdale
Aston Martin DBS Doug Van Allman
Ferrari California Linda Van Allman
Porsche C4S
Manuel Reyes
Porsche race car German Botero
In short, a stunning array of vehicles and all were kept immaculate by
our friends with Prestige Auto.
On our annual day of giving something back to our world, two of our
drivers really gave from the heart. Birthdays are usually “all about me”
days, but Marcello Serrato and Tom Gonzales both chose to give, rather
than take, and spent their entire day at the Homestead Miami Speedway
putting smiles on faces. That, is the spirit that we can all admire!
The rides commenced shortly after 9:00 am and ran
non stop for ALL cars until the lunch break, when food and drink was
once again provided by the Speedway. At approximately 12:30, a brief
thank you was given to all for coming down and then, almost 150 Publix
bags full of goodies, were given away to the children. Also given out
was a certificate with each child being named and welcomed to the
Homestead Miami Speedway 100MPH Banking Club! A great idea, and based on
the number of children I watched scanning them with pride, a huge
success.
There are so many people to thank for this day, that
it would take up pages. But a special “Thank You” to Chris Kavanaugh for
again doing such an outstanding job of standing all day in pit lane
organizing the riders going into the cars, the fellows from Prestige for
their endless smiles and tireless attention to details, the selfless
generosity of Kurt and Kate Ernst, down from Jacksonville and Jim Tucker
all the way from Atlanta.
With tears of joy in the eyes of so many, and
laughter the common denominator for the day, we all left knowing that we
did indeed, give something special back to the world. As Bill Scherer
put it, the glow that he left with last year stayed with him all the way
until this year, and then it was polished again. Next year….even bigger
and better!
