Shop Tires- Cleveland, Tennessee
Entering it’s eighth year the MainStreet Cruisers in conjunction with the Mainstreet Cleveland organization have hosted a Cruise-In around the Bradley County Courthouse in downtown Cleveland. This program has become a downtown feature on the fourth Saturday of each month from April to October and has grown in size to over 600 vehicles a month and an estimated 25,000+ visitors annually. While the admission to the event is free income is generated from vendor fees and the sales of cruise-in paraphernalia, and is allocated to those in need and local charities each November. Over the past six years the MainStreet Cruisers have contributed over $20,000 to those less fortunate and in need.
Over the years contributions have been made to the Special Olympics, Signal Hill Center of Cleveland, William Hall Rogers Basket Fund, Linda’s Vision Ministry, Rock of Ages Prison Ministry, Nancy’s House, the “Shop With A Cop” program, Bradley/Cleveland Services Agency, the Troop Support Program, Crisis Ministry at Big Springs Baptist Church, Haven Place Youth Center, Caring Place of Cleveland, New Hope Pregnancy Center, Civitan Club of Cleveland, St. Jude Research Hospital, Cleveland Rotary Club, American Red Cross, Reinbow Riders and the Greater Shiloh Baptist Church that serves 1300 dinners at Thanksgiving. Many of these agencies have received annual donations since the onset of the program.
Corky receiving an award for "Appreciation to Coker Tire for their support of the 'When the Saints Go Cruising In' Cruise-In October 25, 2008"
Contributions have been made to special events such as the Courthouse Renovation Project, the 278th National Guard homecoming celebration, the Indian Ocean Tsunami Relief Fund and the Sgt. David Weir Fund. This past year $2600 was donated to the Valley View Ruritan Club for the creation of a scholarship fund in memory of recently deceased MainStreet members. One-time donations have also been made to families in critical need as a result of medical emergencies or the need for long-term treatment.
As a part of the organization’s service to the community public service programs have been added to the program. Last year Kiwanis promoted their raffle of a 2008 Corvette with the proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity. The Marine Corps Reserve will again kick-off their annual “Toys for Tots” program in October. The “Tunes 4 the Troops” program that originated in Cleveland will be featured at the May event. The all-volunteer Greater Cleveland Concert Band will be featured in July and local pet adoption agencies will join us in September. As a continuation of the community effort Blood Assurance will have their mobile unit at three events to conduct a blood drive.
While each of the monthly events is theme-based and bands sponsored by local and regional companies provide live entertainment, the October Cruise-In that features various gospel groups has over the years, become one of the most popular features of the program. This program is viewed as the fitting end to the Cruise-In season.