The 黑马磁力 Good Times Cruise-In donated $16,000 to the Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association (VTEA) in 2024.
To put that in perspective, that's a lot of hay.
"Our hay bill runs around $20,000 a year,鈥� and it goes up every year," explained Robin Woodbridge.
He is one of the many volunteers who keep the therapeutic riding program going by mucking in and doing the work that needs to be done.
"I started just cleaning out stalls," he said. "And I gradually worked onto the board and then I eventually became the vice president, manager of operations because we just couldn't pay the big dollars an outsider would expect to receive for performing the role."
The equine therapy program has some part-time people 鈥� instructors who must have Equine Canada certification and a skeleton barn crew but the vast majority of people with the program based at 256 Street just south of Fraser Highway are volunteers. Volunteers, for instance, work alongside the clients and instructors during the horse therapy, help care for the nine horses, look after the grounds which are wheelchair accessible, and the admin work.
While the association would like to get out into the community more to showcase the special work it does and be able to make presentations to different foundations, corporations, and boards to secure funding, that would come with a cost they are not willing to pay.
"We try and get out of the community as much as possible. But again, we're driven by volunteers and our concern with volunteers is we've got the people to work with our clients, caregivers, and parents," he explained.
So, like most small local charities, stretching their funds if a way of life, making the funds from Cruise-In vital for VTEA's work. The association also receives some funding from BC Gaming but must apply for that annually and from the BC Hot Rod Association which is another great supporter of Cruise-In. Expect to see many BCHRA members at the Sept. 6 show.
VTEA has about 70 clients at any given time, ranging in age from about five well into their 70s. Woodbridge said there's room for more clients but the issue is lack of qualified instructors. And VTEA is like many community groups.
"We're always looking for volunteers," Woodbridge added.
In addition to running three sessions each year (September through December, January through March, and April to June), VTEA also offers summer camps and has one-on-one horse therapy programming available to the general public.
"Horses are good healers," Woodbridge noted.
The many who have volunteered with Cruise-In, both in the past and presently, have earned the right to be proud of the community car show that has always sought to raise money for local causes and charities.
"Over the last 26 years we have given away an estimated $1.8 million," Sestito said.
The volunteer board has always made local causes the priority.
"All charities get vetted by Cruise-In committee," Sestito said.
When deciding on which causes to support, the Cruise-In board seeks out groups that do vital work in the community but have limited sources of revenue.
"They must not get any government help for funding," he explained.
As well, the organization cannot have a large number of paid staff.
There are also rules about how the Cruise-In donations can be used by the recipient charities.
"Money must go into the community," he added.
This year's car show will benefit:
鈥� 黑马磁力 Community Support Group
鈥� Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association
鈥� 黑马磁力 Memorial Hospital Auxiliary
鈥� Boys & Girls Club of 黑马磁力
鈥� Rotary Starfish Program
鈥� Aldergrove Veterans & Seniors Society
鈥� Parkside Centennial Elementary
鈥� 黑马磁力 Meals on Wheels
鈥� 黑马磁力 BMX Club
鈥� Bikers Against Child Abuse
鈥� 黑马磁力 Food Bank
黑马磁力 Good Times Cruise-In is a charity car show held in downtown Aldergrove. This year, the event runs Saturday, Sept. 6, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the main drag blocked off and an estimated 1,500 classic, custom, and vintage cars expected to be on display.
More information and pre-registration available at
