More than a club, the LA Cruizers plays a vital community role and provides a gathering place

Gary Zink’s gray and white 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air was on display at Saturday night’s North Tennessee Avenue LA Cruisers Cruze-In.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – There are members, and then there are the fans, car enthusiasts, when it comes to the LA Cruizer’s Car Club. In addition to cruize-ins during the warm weather season, the club supports cancer patients, seniors, children and more through various local projects.

These folks gathered to socialize with old friends and meet some new ones during Saturday’s LA Cruisers Cruize-In.

Christmas food boxes to shut-ins (mainly seniors) is an annual project. “We delivered 35 boxes last year. The boxes contained everything needed to prepare a traditional Christmas dinner,” said LA Cruisers Club President Tom Hatmaker.

Weather was perfect for the local motorheads as classic vehicles lined North Tennessee Avenue filling up parking spaces quickly.

The Campbell County Cancer Association, Santa for Seniors, Christmas gifts for children in need and the honor guard are some of the projects the club supports.

(Left to right) Lynn Goins, Edward Davis, Buck Vandergriff and Everette McCloud.

Club members take part in quite a few funerals every year; for members who have passed and even for car enthusiasts. “When a family calls, we go. We drive through the procession,” said Hatmaker.

Lynn Childs has a real rare classic; a 1954 Willy’s Overland.

The Cruisers have eight scheduled cruize-ins this season, four each at Hardee’s and on North Tennessee Avenue. Remaining dates at Hardee’s are July 13 and August 3, and on North Tennessee Avenue July 27 and Sept. 7. All are on Saturdays and start at 6pm.

It’s plain to see Saturday night’s cruize-in was fun for the young ones and the young at heart who have fond memories about these rides.

A 1967 Ford Fairlane.

The 23rd annual car show is Sat., Aug. 24 at 10am. This year’s show is dedicated to late club member Tommy Thomas, Jr.

Darian Sandifer and his 1961 Lincoln Continental; this Lincoln had been stored in a warehouse in Knoxville since 1987.

“Tommy was one of the higher ups with the H.T. Hackney Company, and for more than 20 years, he always furnished us with plates, spoons, forks, hamburger meat; all kinds of supplies for our annual car show. After he passed, I went to Hackney to see if they would continue supporting us, and they didn’t know the first thing about it. Turns out, Tommy was buying all those supplies and let us think they were donated,” said Hatmaker.

It was a healthy turnout for Saturday’s cruize-in as lawn chairs unfolded and hit the pavement.

“We always tried to present Tommy with a plaque, and after the first one, he said we need to save that money for the club. He was a special person,” said Hatmaker.

Lynn Goins built his 1956 Chevrolet from the ground up.

The LA Cruisers have a peanut sale going on as a fundraiser. “We work with Texas Roadhouse for the peanuts that are $5 for a seven ounce bag. We’ll run our peanut sale through the big car show, and for all bags bought, the buyer receives a coupon good for a Texas Roadhouse appetizer,” said Hatmaker. Bags of peanuts to benefit the Cruisers are available at all cruze-ins and at the drive-thru window at Peoples Bank of the South Mall Branch.

A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.

Below, take a visit through The Grand on Central.

For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 06/10/2024-6AM-PAID AD)

Related