The Smiles for Mikey Benefit Car Show and Craft Fair is for Mike Budzinski, an 11-year-old Clifford Township resident, who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at age 2.
Submitted photo
NEWTON TWP. — The parking lot of Countryside Community Church will be filled with vehicles on display from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17. The Pharaohs Car Club of Scranton is collaborating with the church to put together a fundraiser called Smiles for Mikey Benefit Car Show & Craft Fair. All vehicles are welcome, including motorized bikes.
Club members and members of the Countryside plan to bring their cars for display. Ken Kostelnik, Pharaohs Car Club commander, and his wife Beth, who is the club’s chaplain, will bring their 1951 Mercury sports sedan with their greyhounds, Garrett and Story. Countryside member Wendy Molitoris will bring her 1965 Ford Mustang.
The fee for pre-registration is $10. Registration on the day of the event costs $15. Vehicles can be entered as late as noon on the day of the event. Vendor spaces are available for $30.
This benefit is named for Mike Budzinski, an 11-year-old Clifford Township resident, who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at age 2. The car show and craft fair will raise money towards a wheelchair-accessible van, which Mikey’s family calls the “Hot Wheels Venture Van.” It has a ramp for Mikey’s motorized wheelchair.
Mikey’s parents, Sean and Heather Holmes, were able to put a down payment on the van due to their last benefit at the Factoryville Fire Company. That’s where they met Beth, who told them that she can promote their benefit events. Sean and Heather use the van to drop off and pick up Mikey from Mountainview Elementary School. Mikey and his family including his three sisters will attend the car show and craft fair.
Sean will be vending his ribbons he makes out of his 3D printer. He will also sell key chain ribbons with Mikey’s name engraved on them. He will bring his 2005 Monte Carlo for display. Family friend Krystyna Koroneos will sell items from The Pampered Chef. Anyone who brings a vehicle for display will have a chance to win door prizes every half hour. Door prizes include gift certificates, a buffer and a car dryer. They will also be eligible to win trophies: Mikey’s Choice, Pharaoh’s Choice, and People’s Choice. Judging will begin at noon. Countryside Community Church will cook hot dogs and provide donuts and coffee. Music will be played by AM radio station WICK 1440 “The Mothership.” The event will occur rain or shine. Mikey’s family is grateful for the support from the community.
“They helped a lot,” said Heather. “We have a Go Fund Me, and we have a lot of people on there as well.”
To pre-register your vehicle, visit https://tinyurl.com/3zj395kr. To register for a vendor space, visit https://tinyurl.com/2x5rna6e.
