Goombah’s Car Club Cruisin for a Cause
Good things happen when car guys take out their slick rides and go Cruisin for a Cause. On one of the last hot days of summer in Downtown Willow Glen, California, something special happened. More than six hundred cars lined the streets, creating a sparkling patchwork of kustoms, muscle cars, and hot rods. “Cruisin For A Cause,” put on by Goombah’s Car Club, made the usually quaint, high-end suburb lively, fun and, most of all, welcoming.
One of the particularly cool things about Goombah’s Cruisin for a Cause is that there was no registration, so it really felt like a few friends went for a cruise and then everyone in town showed up. While there was traffic control, the roads cutting through the show weren’t blocked off so cars of all kinds meandered by the bustling streets; it’s a car show you could drive through. The whole event felt organic and raw while still being family-friendly and safe.
What’s arguably even cooler is that Goombahs gave one hundred percent of the donations and proceeds to Second Harvest food bank of Santa Clara county. What was their haul? Goombah’s Car Club managed to collect a whopping sixteen hundred pounds of food and raised over twenty-two thousand in cash for local nonprofits from this one event alone. So, what is Goombah’s?
Goombah’s Car Club is a group of fifteen or so close friends who feel like they “just got really lucky” and because of this they want to give back. The club’s smaller size allows for a sweeter sense of community. When one member is struggling to put a car together the night before a show, or if he’s missing parts, everyone is quick to jump in and help.
Cruisin for a Cause proudly hosted 91-year-old Gene Winfield who presented Northern California’s own Andy Brizio — some may know him as the “Rodfather” — with The Lifetime Achievement award during the event. Goombah’s own Vice President Scott Leatherman described the presentation of the award as “a handshake among old friends.”
“I’ve gone to countless car shows all around the world. This is one of the best communities shows that I’ve been to in a long time,” said Gene Winfield. “The quality of cars, quality of people, and the atmosphere of having fun while helping your community is fantastic.” For reference, Gene has attended over 30 shows so far this year alone, so we can all agree he has some perspective.
As you can see from the crazy variety of cars on display there was definitely something for everyone. Cars overflowed from the surrounding parking lots in downtown Willow Glen, and whenever a spot opened up on Lincoln Avenue you can rest assured it was quickly filled with a sweet ride. Some of our favorites from the afternoon had to be this pair of lowriders, frozen in three wheel motion.
All in all, Cruisin’ for a Cause was a rad way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I think we all went home feeling a little more altruistic, inspired and, probably, sun-tanned. Hopefully we can hold onto some of that glow until Goombah’s Willow Glen Christmas Cruise. It is scheduled for Saturday, December 15th. See you out there!
