A DRIVE TO SEE WISHES COME TRUE; TRUCKERS IN CONVOY ASSIST AILING CHILDREN.Byline: Kevin F. Sherry Daily News Staff Writer Fifteen trucks loaded with good cheer drove from Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. to Ventura on Sunday morning Sunday Morning may refer to:
The trucks were part of a caravan to raise money for the Ventura County Make-A-Wish program, which aims to fulfill the dreams of children with serious illnesses. Each trucker participating in the event either paid an entry fee or gathered sponsors to pay for their mileage on the 35-mile journey to Ventura. Drivers collected at least $100 each for the charity, said Walter Dobbs, a member of the California Dump Truck Owners Association. Once all pledges are collected, the association expects to donate about $6,000 to Make-A-Wish, said Debbie Kitzan, who organized the caravan. Members of the Ventura County and San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. chapters of the Dump Truck Association took part in the run, their second annual participation. Truckers donated their trucks, gas and time for the event, Kitzan said. ``Nobody made anything today,'' she said. ``All the drivers volunteered.'' The event also helps demonstrate that truckers have a good side under their sometimes rough exteriors, Dobbs said. ``It helps us create a positive image,'' he said. Beginning at 8 a.m. on Sunday, the trucks gathered and rallied in the Kmart parking lot at the intersection of Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Avenue and Madera Road. At 10 a.m., the caravan headed out, led by a yellow engine from the Ventura County Fire Department Not to be confused with Ventura Fire Department. The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) provides fire protection and emergency response services for the unincorporated areas of Ventura County, California, and for six other cities within the county. . Each truck was emblazoned with a red holiday bow. The Dump Truck Association got involved with Make-A-Wish because the organization does so much to aid sick children, Kitzan said. CAPTION(S): 3 Photos PHOTO (1 -- color -- Simi only) Carlos Chacon gives his sons Elijah and Lucas a look at the tractor-trailers with June Lofton of the Make-A-Wish Foundation The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that grants wishes to children (2.5 years to 18 years old) with life-threatening medical conditions. . (2 -- color) A holiday wreath decorates the grill of a big rig Big Rig was a punk band from the San Francisco Bay Area fronted by singer/songwriter Jesse Michaels. Michaels performed with the group after the break up of his previous project, Operation Ivy, and before forming the band Common Rider. , one of 15 involved in Sunday's benefit drive to Ventura. (3 -- color -- Simi only) Lucas Chacon, 2, left, sits in a firetruck Sunday with his brother Elijah, 4, one of the kids helped by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News |
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