The first local drag race of the year will benefit Shawn Dippre, a 7-year-old East Stroudsburg boy who is awaiting a bone marrow transplant.
The Pocono Performance Enthusiasts Car Club has sponsored drag racing at East Stroudsburg Airport as a benefit for Joey's Eagles, a local charity, for six years.
The season-opener on Sunday, April 6, will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with all proceeds going to help Shawn's family.
"The money raised allows us to help one or two families who really need it," said Nellie Grampp, founder of Joey's Eagles support group. "We usually average $2,000 for a child per race. The races help us so we can help families, with transportation or medical expenses — anything they need."
A donation of $1 to Joey's Eagles is suggested. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and canopy tents, but no alcoholic beverages are permitted.
Any car that is licensed and insured may be raced for a donation of $25 per driver; the races are limited to 100 cars. Classic cars may be entered in the car show for $8 per car.
"It's old-fashioned street-car racing — any car they can race, it just has to be street-legal," said Grampp, of Marshalls Creek. "So come early – even before 9 a.m. – to register your car. We want to invite the public to bring their cars, to race or show."
Grampp founded Joey's Eagles in memory of her oldest son, who was 12 when he lost a year-long battle to leukemia in 1996. Realizing that others must be confronting the same sense of isolation, fear and helplessness she faced after his death, Grampp formed the group for families of children with cancer and other serious illnesses in Monroe County.
Joey's Eagles helps to alleviate the financial burden of travel expenses to city hospitals and overnight stays. Occasionally, the group helps out by making a mortgage payment or paying an electric bill.
The group meets monthly at Pocono Medical Center, where it has shared parental support sessions, planned group activities and special guests for the children.
"There's hope to be had 'til the very end," said Grampp. "Joey's Eagles fills a need. The whole family really suffers when a child is sick. It's the most painful thing you'll ever go through in your life — but you go through it together as a family."
Joey's Eagles has helped more than 50 families.
"It's a good organization where the families all have something in common – a kid with cancer or some other (serious condition)," said Dr. Jeffrey Taylor, a pediatric oncologist from Geisinger Medical Center who often gets together with his young patients at activities held for Joey's Eagles.
"This is much better than a support group, because it's not your typical support," said Taylor. "The kids have fun. Nelly has the ability to treat them like normal kids, but at the same time help them feel better."
Steve Grampp, Nelly's husband and the new president of Pocono Performance Enthusiasts, used to take Joey to the club's races and shows. When Joey's Eagles formed, it was a natural progression for the club to support the cause.
The events give car owners a forum to race in a safe, responsible manner and serve a good cause at the same time.
Local businesses contribute prizes to a 50/50 raffle and the crowd picks its favorite cars for "Spectators' Choice" awards. Entrants run the gamut from mom's station wagon to souped-up cars.
The PPE also awards prizes for mechanical engineering, appearance and handling. While some cars are very fast, no prizes are awarded for speed.
Drivers must be at least 18 years old and wear a motorcycle helmet, and their cars must pass a technical inspection the morning of the event.
Four Sundays of drag racing and car show events are slated this year: April 6, May 4, Sept. 7 and Oct. 5. All run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the East Stroudsburg Airport. Rain dates are May 18, Sept. 14 and Oct. 12. For information call (570) 588-3071
The Pocono Performance Enthusiasts Car Club has sponsored drag racing at East Stroudsburg Airport as a benefit for Joey's Eagles, a local charity, for six years.
The season-opener on Sunday, April 6, will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with all proceeds going to help Shawn's family.
"The money raised allows us to help one or two families who really need it," said Nellie Grampp, founder of Joey's Eagles support group. "We usually average $2,000 for a child per race. The races help us so we can help families, with transportation or medical expenses — anything they need."
A donation of $1 to Joey's Eagles is suggested. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and canopy tents, but no alcoholic beverages are permitted.
Any car that is licensed and insured may be raced for a donation of $25 per driver; the races are limited to 100 cars. Classic cars may be entered in the car show for $8 per car.
"It's old-fashioned street-car racing — any car they can race, it just has to be street-legal," said Grampp, of Marshalls Creek. "So come early – even before 9 a.m. – to register your car. We want to invite the public to bring their cars, to race or show."
Grampp founded Joey's Eagles in memory of her oldest son, who was 12 when he lost a year-long battle to leukemia in 1996. Realizing that others must be confronting the same sense of isolation, fear and helplessness she faced after his death, Grampp formed the group for families of children with cancer and other serious illnesses in Monroe County.
Joey's Eagles helps to alleviate the financial burden of travel expenses to city hospitals and overnight stays. Occasionally, the group helps out by making a mortgage payment or paying an electric bill.
The group meets monthly at Pocono Medical Center, where it has shared parental support sessions, planned group activities and special guests for the children.
"There's hope to be had 'til the very end," said Grampp. "Joey's Eagles fills a need. The whole family really suffers when a child is sick. It's the most painful thing you'll ever go through in your life — but you go through it together as a family."
Joey's Eagles has helped more than 50 families.
"It's a good organization where the families all have something in common – a kid with cancer or some other (serious condition)," said Dr. Jeffrey Taylor, a pediatric oncologist from Geisinger Medical Center who often gets together with his young patients at activities held for Joey's Eagles.
"This is much better than a support group, because it's not your typical support," said Taylor. "The kids have fun. Nelly has the ability to treat them like normal kids, but at the same time help them feel better."
Steve Grampp, Nelly's husband and the new president of Pocono Performance Enthusiasts, used to take Joey to the club's races and shows. When Joey's Eagles formed, it was a natural progression for the club to support the cause.
The events give car owners a forum to race in a safe, responsible manner and serve a good cause at the same time.
Local businesses contribute prizes to a 50/50 raffle and the crowd picks its favorite cars for "Spectators' Choice" awards. Entrants run the gamut from mom's station wagon to souped-up cars.
The PPE also awards prizes for mechanical engineering, appearance and handling. While some cars are very fast, no prizes are awarded for speed.
Drivers must be at least 18 years old and wear a motorcycle helmet, and their cars must pass a technical inspection the morning of the event.
Four Sundays of drag racing and car show events are slated this year: April 6, May 4, Sept. 7 and Oct. 5. All run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the East Stroudsburg Airport. Rain dates are May 18, Sept. 14 and Oct. 12. For information call (570) 588-3071
