Politics & Government

Harper Charity Cruise Gets Green Light

St. Clair City Council approves the 2012 car cruise on Harper.

Classic cars will once again be able to take to Harper for a cause after St. Clair Shores City Council gave the Shorewood Kiwanis approval for the 2012 Charity Cruise. 

The , which raises thousands of dollars for local charities, will be held Aug. 29 from Old 8 Mile to Bayside.

"The cruise raises a good bit of money to help us support the many, many charities we support," said Peter McInnes, president of the Shorewood Kiwanis, while addressing City Council. "The money we make from this goes back into the community."

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Council unanimously approved the request to the hold the cruise from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 29, with a rain date of Aug. 30 if necessary.

Organizers estimated between 75,000 and 100,000 attended the eventwhich benefited local charities including , CARE (Community Assessment and Referral Education), the Tree of Hope Foundation, Macomb Literacy, widows and orphans of police and fire department personnel, local Lions Clubs and the St. Clair Shores Cultural Commission.

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"We bring in many people from around the state," McInnes added.

Council members inquired about extending the cruise further north on Harper, but representatives from the Kiwanis said it was cost prohibitive and busiest corner of along the route is at 9 Mile and Harper.

"We would have to pay for that extra police protection," said Tom Ulrich, cruise day chairman.

Despite the possible financial constraints, city officials said the Kiwanis could request approval to extend the cruise.

"This is a great cruise and the Shorewood Kiwanis do a great job," Mayor Kip Walby said.

In addition to receiving approval for the cruise, organizers recently selected a student David Holm to be used on T-shirts, posters and other items.


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