By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
Three of the four help causes selected for Yukon’s Route 66 car cruise this fall are new event participants.
Youth & Family Services, Savannah Station Therapeutic Riding Program (TRP), Yukon Mobile Meals, and Canadian County Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) will benefit from Yukon Main Street’s fourth annual “Cruise-in For a Cause.”
Canadian County CASA will be the only returnee for the Route 66 cruise set 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15 in downtown Yukon.
Yukon Main Street representatives announced the four participating causes during the Friday, March 25th Yukon Community Coffee hosted by Archery Traditions, 328 Elm in Old Mill Plaza.
Archery Traditions owner Ken Wilkins was thrilled to include the announcement in his opening for the coffee.
A past Yukon Chamber of Commerce “Small Business of the Year” winner, Wilkins challenged other businesses to sponsor the 2022 Cruise-in for a Cause and further support the event by getting involved.
Youth & Family Services, Savannah Station, Yukon Mobile Meals, and Canadian County CASA were chosen among eight non-profits who submitted cause proposals.
- Youth & Family Services, 7565 E Highway 66, provides an emergency youth shelter, at-risk youth counseling services, transitional living services, and a foster care program for Canadian County residents. YFS recruits foster parents to house children who have been abused and neglected.
- Savannah Station, 13420 N Frisco Road, is a therapeutic horseback-riding program that focus on helping people ages 4 years and above who have cognitive and physical special needs. Fifty-four people now take weekly lessons offered free to participating families at a 20-acre facility in Yukon.
- Yukon Mobile Meals, 1200 Lakeshore, offers nutritious lunch meals to elderly, disabled and convalescing Yukon residents. Mobile Meals’ volunteer route drivers also provide regular checks on the program’s homebound food recipients. With food prices rising, funds raised keep meal prices down.
- Canadian County CASA, 7905 E Highway 66, helps protect abused and neglected children as the “eyes and ears” of the court outside the courtroom. In 2021, CASA’s trained volunteers served 131 of nearly 400 Canadian County children in Department of Human Services’ custody.
PASSIVE-LEISURE OPEN CRUISE
Yukon Main Street Director Vicki Davis described Cruise-in for a Cause – which started in September 2019 and has grown in popularity and attendance.
“This has become a fantastic evening under the lights of Main Street when car enthusiasts and the community join together for a passive-leisure open cruise on Route 66 while supporting local, charitable causes,” Davis said.
“All types of vehicles are welcome – vintage, classics, hot rods, muscle cars, and late models.”
Park-and-show registrants in the 400 block of Main Street select their “cause of choice” to receive 50% of the registration fee.
Cruisers and other attendees contribute at donation stations and advocacy booths during the event.
The four help causes promote their programs and services while presenting “product drives” at their booths.
Cruise team meetings are set June 9 and Sept. 8.
Volunteers are welcome to help plan and present the Sept. 15th car cruise.
To get involved in Cruise-in for a Cause, email mainstreet@yukonok.gov, call (405) 350-5999 or visit the Yukon Main Street office at 528 W Main.
