Harper Charity Cruise raises money for a good cause

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Businesses and charities are revving up for a good time at the Harper Charity Cruise, all while supporting a great cause.

The Harper Charity Cruise is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday Aug. 28. Rosanne Minne, a member of the Shorewood Kiwanis and the head of the Harper Charity Cruise, said a Ford Mustang is on the logo this year because the car is celebrating 60 years.

“We hope to sell a lot of the T-shirts this year, just like we did last year,” Minne said. “We had such a(n) interest in it just from promoting it on Facebook and online and things like that.”

T-shirts will be available at the Village Market and through various Shorewood Kiwanis members.

Minne said the Shorewood Kiwanis took over the cruise in 2008, and that it was an event in the Shores long before that. Amy O’Brien-Kravitz, a sales manager at Roy O’Brien Ford, said the cruise is celebrating 30 years this year.

The cruise runs along Harper Avenue, from about a half mile north of Eight Mile Road to 12 Mile Road. O’Brien-Kravitz said this longer route was officially implemented two years ago, though she thinks that’s been that length unofficially for a while.

“It just feels like it grows every year,” O’Brien-Kravitz said. “The turnout is better, the amount of drivers and cars that want to participate keeps increasing. In its 30th year, it just keeps getting stronger and better every year.”

“We have a lot of people that work to get the sponsorships,” Minne added. “And we have a lot of sponsorships because our T-shirt is just full. So we’re blessed to have that.”

Minne also said that eventgoers enjoy the cruise, and she called it the biggest event in St. Clair Shores. The Shorewood Kiwanis has been announcing their sponsors on its Shorewood Kiwanis Club of MI Facebook page. A few of the sponsors are Whistle Stop Hobby and Toy, the Warren Kiwanis Club, Miller Marina and Michael Agnello Jewelers.

The proceeds from the cruise go to support Shorewood Kiwanis service projects, including the Christmas in August outreach.

“We treat qualified children to get school clothes,” Minne said. “We take them to Meijer, and we buy them school clothes.”

Minne went on to say that they treated around 60 children last year. She loves seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces.

“That’s the nicest thing about this club, this organization, that’s why I took interest in it because it is for children,” Minne said. “It’s a good thing.”

O’Brien-Kravitz said the company sets up a display and a public party in the Kroger parking lot on Harper. This year, they have activities for kids, and in years past they have had food trucks and bands.

“All kinds of stuff for families and kids to come and enjoy,” O’Brien-Kravitz said. “That’s what you find when you walk up and down the street. All those businesses that front Harper, most of them are going to have some kind of fun activity going on out front.”

Roy O’Brien Ford will also have a display of Mustangs from various years over the car’s 60-year history.

“It’s going to kind of look like a timeline, earliest to most current,” O’Brien-Kravitz said. “So any Mustang fans, they don’t want to miss our display, because it’s going to be something to see.”

Minne has received lots of calls from business owners who are excited about the cruise.

Eventgoers should remember not to walk into the street and take basic safety precautions.

She said that while the cruise is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., people can see cars cruising down Harper all day.

“It’s a fun family event, and we hope that everyone comes and enjoys it and hope for good weather,” Minne said. “That’s always important, good weather.”