By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
Two non-profit help causes have been selected to benefit from Yukon’s annual fall Route 66 car cruise.
The Yukon Police Department’s Christmas with a Cop charity program and Savannah Station Therapeutic Riding Center will receive proceeds collected during Yukon Main Street’s fifth annual “Cruise-In for a Cause.”
Vehicles in this open cruise will be on parade from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21 along Yukon’s stretch of the iconic Mother Road.
In the first four years of this special event, Yukon Main Street’s Cruise Team has annually picked four non-profit causes to benefit.
“We narrowed it down to two causes this year so we could help them out a lot better and showcase them more,” said Cruise coordinator Judy Austin, Yukon Main Street’s board past president.
YPD’s Christmas with a Cop is a new Cruise-In for a Cause participant.
This program makes Christmas brighter for deserving Yukon children who are paired with Yukon police officers to shop for presents at a local retail store.
Savannah Station was a participating cause in 2022, along with Youth & Family Services, Yukon Mobile Meals, and Canadian County’s Court-Appointed Special Advocates.
Savannah Station changes the lives of people with special needs through its equine therapy program.
Yukon’s Cruise-In for a Cause welcomes all types of vehicles – from classics and muscle cars to vintage and newer-models.
“It’s open to everybody – cars, trucks, motorcycles – anything unique,” Austin explained. “If people want to have a reserve parking spot on Main Street, they need to register.”
The Yukon Cruise Team hope to include more car and motorcycle clubs at September’s big event.
Attendees of the Main Street car cruise will be asked to give to YPD Christmas With a Cop and Savannah Station TRC at their advocacy booths and at donation stations downtown.
A portion of Park & Show registration fees also will benefit the two non-profits.
EVERYONE WELCOME
While they’re not riding in their own vehicles, Cruise-In for a Cause attendees will stroll through the Park & Show area (400 block of W Main), visit cause and sponsor booths, check out fun activities along the way, and enjoy a constant parade of cool rides.
“It’s always a great Thursday night ‘under the lights’ of Main Street,” Austin shared. “We welcome everybody to come, walk and shop.
“We’re looking for a good turnout and a fun, great time this year. We can’t wait to see everybody and what they bring.”
Austin’s husband David will bring his turquoise-and-white 1955 Ford Farlaine.
The Cruise Team will meet the third Thursday of each month until the event. Volunteers are encouraged to help plan and present the fifth annual Route 66 cruise.
For more information about supporting or participating in the 2023 Cruise-In for a Cause, call (405) 350-5999 or visit https://www.yukon66mainstreet.com/
