Photo submitted.

The end of Cruiser’s Cruise Nites means that the summer of 2016 is almost over. Ending on a high note, the weekly gathering of car enthusiasts near the big flag in Southampton has raised an overall total of just over $8,700 with 50/50 ticket sales and car registration donations combined.

When added to previous years, it brings the total raised to $237,752.

The funds raised from the 2016 season will go toward the purchase of patient monitoring equipment for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital in Southampton. Funds raised in previous years have purchased a variety of equipment as well as helped build the new Cancer Centre in Owen Sound.

“Cruise Nites is about great classic cars and a 50/50 draw, but it’s also more than that,” said Sally Kidson, Executive Director of the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation. “It’s about a community showing how it cares for the hospital. It’s about the volunteers who sell tickets week in and week out. And, it’s a tourist attraction for our summer visitors.”

Foundation Chair, Jonna Ebel thanked each and every driver who came out to share their passion. “The drivers have such fun when they gather and visit. It’s amazing to see these beautiful classic vehicles and it’s also great to see the looks in the eyes of the visitors when they spy one of their favourite vehicles.”

Gary Brown, known locally as ‘Mr. Cruiser’, organizes the car show and cares passionately about keeping health care close to home. Before laying down the mic for the last time this year, his famous words rang out, “See you next year everyone.”