Gift from Florida: The Salvation Army in Quincy recently received $500 from an unlikely source -- the Golf Village Church in St. Augustine, Fla. Quincy businessman Gus Traeder and his wife, Fern, spend their winters in St. Augustine and attend the nondenominational church, which is seven years old with about 400 members. The church's pastor, Rev. Bob May, called Traeder this summer to check to make sure his home was protected from flood waters. Traeder gave May information about the flood, and May asked children ages 4-11 attending the church's vacation bible school to raise money. One girl raised $100 on her own, and $500 was raised overall. The money was sent to the Salvation Army to help pay for the meals that were served to volunteers.
New Wheels, Good Cause: In an effort to help raise money and awareness for breast cancer research, Quincy Raceways gave away its 2008 pace car a week ago tonight. For 19 weeks, the track sold raffle tickets, with one winner each Sunday night earning a chance at the 2008 Ford Mustang. Each of the raffle winners was given a key to try and start the car that was provided by Gem City Ford, and the one that turned the engine became the new owner of the vehicle. The winner? Ironically, former late model driver Mark Holtmeyer, who retired several years ago, can now be seen tooling around town in some spiffy new wheels. The season-long raffle helped raise approximately $4,000 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Bicycle Journey: Bicyclist Greg Krupa of the Range of Motion Project (ROMP) passed through Quincy Friday in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the non-profit project that is providing prosthetic limbs and orthotic braces to those in developing nations who cannot afford or do not have access to these services, "empowering them to actively contribute to their families and communities." St. John's Episcopal Church, 701 Hampshire, served as a host to Krupa, who was biking from Kansas City to Chicago. He hopes to raise $10,000 during the 520-mile journey that will take nine days. For more information about ROMP, call (312) 235-2228 or e-mail rompglobal@gmail.com. The organization's Web site is www.rompglobal.org.
On the Street is a compilation of tidbits gathered by Herald-Whig staff. Readers can contribute at onthestreet@whig.com.
