Tragedy to triumph. Two words we love to begin any story with. While I am neither able to produce the data on if Muskegon County has a higher cancer rate than other communities, not does it really matter for the purposes here, there’s on thing that is completely inarguable. There are zero places on this planet that know better about taking such grief, repackaging it and turning it into lasting and genuine hope for others. It plays out time and again and what’s better about it….the events are generally priced so that anyone can participate, draw incredible crowds, start off small and sustain themselves through growing their community. This is precisely what has happened for over 20 years with Cars for Cancer on Labor Day Weekend. With over 1000 cars planned for at the event, plan on a day of strolling for a purpose. There’s gonna be a LOT to see and do!
Loss and grief are met in different ways. Way back when, the Ferrier family and the Different Strokes Car Club recognized that and decided that once the grief passed, that allowing for it to linger as opposed to celebrating the life of who was lost and honoring their memory, and the memory of all those afflicted along with those in the battle….would be the answer. That answer has been spoken loudly. Not only spoken but echoed by the community and the car lovers from near and far, because the Cars for Cancer show at the Lakes Mall on Labor Day…..it’s a massive event. As the movement has grown, so has the ways people benefit it, this year…there’s a 57 Chevy being raffled off, can anyone say “Golden Goose of a Dream Car”?
Willed to the organization, this beauty has been travelling the Midwest since early 2026 promoting the show and grabbing donations for the raffle tickets. It was a legacy gift, from a cancer victim that has given Cars for Cancer a chance to present their largest donation to date this year. It’s in the idea that someone was moved enough to make sure that this car went on to such a purpose, and too….a very understanding family behind them, after all…this isn’t like taking a keepsake from a grandparents house when they pass, this is a really valuable item that any family would be calling dibs on. Purpose based donation. It speaks volumes of what’s been built.
The show itself begins on Sunday night, September 6th with a car cruise and “entertainment tent”. That’s the politically correct way to say beer tent now a days. Monday, get there early. The expectation is well over 1000 cars in attendance. All the car show favorites like a pancake breakfast to kick it off and events throughout the day. Music and fun, plenty of ways to help contribute with auctions and raffles and more. It’s a very full day and chances are you won’t be able to see it all. Let’s make that a challenge. Get there to see it all.
A moment of reflection. This began in a church parking lot on Apple Ave. St. Thomas Church. I remember when it began. It’s almost impossible to think it was 22 years ago. But here’s the reality folks. This is Muskegon’s strength. This is the backbone of our community. We are not the most affluent. We are not the biggest bunch of folks all saying “Look at me”. We are the people who to quote the ancients – “Sic Parvis Magna” – Sir Frances Drake. Greatness from Small Beginnings.
You can CLICK HERE to learn more about Cars for Cancer on their Facebook page.
