Main photo: Muskoka Jeep and Off-Road Club co-founder Garth Dalziel (right) and Heather Sobieraj from The Garage (left) present a cheque and food donations to Susie LaRose, Exchange Store Coordinator at The Table
Last weekend, the Muskoka Jeep and Off-Road Club held its inaugural Show and Shine, an opportunity for members to share their passion for off-roading, put their skills to the test on some obstacles, and show off their rides. It was about more than camaraderie, though—the event was also a fundraiser for a good cause.
“We are all off-road enthusiasts. We don’t all drive Jeeps. Some drive trucks, some drive side-by-sides, some drive ATVs,” said Garth Dalziel, the club’s co-founder with his wife Allison. “It’s a community unique to itself. We’ve always got each others’ backs. When someone breaks down, we try to help them out.”
In that spirit, they wanted to “help the people that sometimes fall on hard times,” he said.
There were about 32 Jeeps and their owners at the event, who together raised $735 and gathered approximately 20 lbs. of non-perishable food for The Table Food Bank. Funds were raised through registration fees, donations, food sales, door prize draws and a 50/50 draw.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to do something like this,” said Dalziel, adding he greatly appreciated the support of The Garage who provided space and helped host the event and to the Bear’s Den Restaurant for donating the food.
Dalziel hopes to grow the Show and Shine to be a huge event, and is aiming to raise enough funds in the future to install a wheelchair swing in Huntsville.
Above: The inaugural Muskoka Jeep and Off-Road Club Show and Shine drew several dozen off-road enthusiasts to The Garage (Photos courtesy of Garth Dalziel)
The club launched in 2013 and has about 150 active members, who get together as often as they can. “It’s truly a lifestyle,” said Dalziel.
Everyone is welcome, he adds. To learn more, join the club’s Facebook group here.
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It was a great day for a first annual event to bring automotive enthusiasts together. Relaxed atmosphere and great venue. Look forward to next year.