Foster Road Cruise-in – fundraiser for a ‘Dream’

More than just a good time, find out how an outer East Portland cruise-in supports dreams beyond simply driving cool cars …

Kevin Ernst brightens the shine on the hood of his 1970 Chevy Chevelle.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Many cruise-ins are held just for fun – so folks who own classic and unique cars and trucks can gather, admire one another’s vehicles, and perhaps take home a trophy.

The Foster Road Cruise-in, held on July 23 in the Junior Achievement parking lot, certainly had those elements, but also had an additional important component, said Peggy Romero of the Allstate Insurance Agency in the Foster-Powell neighborhood.

Agent Tom Patrick joins Peggy Romero at the newly combined Romero-Patrick Allstate Insurance Agency – and also at this Foster Road Cruise-in.

“We’re just gathering together people from around our area who are into classic cars, and enthusiasts who enjoy looking at their cars, and at the same time raising a little money for a nonprofit organization I started called ‘Dream’,” Romero confided to East Portland News.

“The mission of ‘Dream’ is to give people encouragement, mentoring, and guidance helping them realize that dreams really can come true and they don’t have to stay in the situation,” Romero explained.

Leslie Sinai shows off her newly-acquired 1922 Ford T-Bucket – which was featured in the movie American Graffiti”.

She started Dream, she said, because people kept asking her for advice and help over the years. “I’d help them ‘figure things out’, and get from ‘where they were’ to ‘where they want to be’. By starting this organization, I’ve been able to get other good people to offer help, to more people, and in better ways.”

Franklin High School senior and hotdog cook Xavier Praza grills up red-hots as a fundraiser for Franklin High Athletics.

She and her group help people learn to create a personal financial budget, get out of debt, and even buy houses, she said. “Many people are just really discouraged, and don’t realize that there is a whole world out there. We help them find it,” Romero said.

Learn more about Dream at the website: CLICK HERE.

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