EAST STROUDSBURG — It may not be NASCAR, but according to Joe Keelan of Pocono Performance Enthusiasts Car Club, it is a darn good time.
"It's like a big community picnic," said Keelan of the Race and Car Show at East Stroudsburg Airport on Sunday.
"We have a great turnout. Last year I would say we had close to 140 racers show up to try and get in," Keelan said.
The day, which includes car showing, as well as a large scale race for just about any type of car you can imagine, has received a great deal of support in the years since it started working to help Joey's Eagles. All proceeds from the event go to Joey's Eagles, a non-profit organization run by Nelly Grampp.
Grampp, who lost her son Joey in 1996 to leukemia, uses all funds raised to help families in need to pay for the everyday necessities like gas, food and electricity.
"We have about 45 families total we have from time to time, but we usually only work with a few families in crisis a year," Grampp said.
Grampp did not have a major fund-raising event until she was approached by Keelan with the idea of dedicating proceeds of the races as a gift to the needy.
Now, six years later, the races are viewed by more than 1,000 spectators a year, with another 150 or more entered in the race or in the show.
Keelan has been surprised by the results. The one-day event raises about $7,000, which goes directly to Joey's Eagles. Thousands more is raised by the Dingman's Ferry Lions Club, which provides food at the event for its own charity programs.
"We now have local businesses donating money to Joey's Eagles, gifts for giveaways or even just displaying signs in their windows. We have had a great response," said Keelan.
Boy Scout Troops 80 and 99 volunteered to help last year, as did a group of Vietnam Veterans from the area.
The race is as safe as possible, said Keelan, with all racers licensed, insured and driving state-inspected vehicles.
"We also do safety checks here. The cars must have regular street tires, and not race-type. Safety is, of course, a big concern," said Keelan.
And in fact, the full gamut of vehicle styles get involved.
"In no way is this just the young people. We have all types of cars from your Suburban four wheel drive type to pretty impressive race cars," said Keelan.
