Getting a new business up an running can be an enormous task in itself, but as three military veterans in California recently found, things can always get harder. Last November, the military men behind Hot Rod Rescue [1] in San Diego, California found themselves faced with a tragic accident that sent their business up in flames without insurance coverage. As the men try and recover their property, they aren’t working alone. As we found out from NBC San Diego [2], Vets Cruizin’ For A Cause recently held a fundraiser to help get the hot rod shop back on their feet. Check out the aftermath of the blaze that destroyed Hot Rod Rescue in the video above.
[3]Image: Hot Rod Rescue [1]
What started as an electrical fire in an adjacent building on November 12th quickly turned into a nightmare for veterans James Pace, Mike Beuoy, and Jason Sharp. The business aiming to get the men on their feet and save old hot rod projects went up in smoke when the fire spread to Hot Rod Rescue. While much of the shop’s tools, vehicles and parts were destroyed, the men remained hopeful after the fire that they would be able to salvage some things, including two vehicle frames.
Nearly three months later, the business is still working toward recovery thanks to the helping hands of veterans, active military personnel and the community. On January 6th, Vets Cruizin’ For A Cause held a car show and fundraiser for the business in Mira Mesa with all proceeds going to help Hot Rod Rescue owners Sharp and Beuoy rebuild.
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With all makes and models welcomed, veterans, military members and citizens alike attended the event, raising money for Hot Rod Rescue to become whole again. Currently, Sharp and Beuoy are running a temporary shop nearby. Both men expressed their gratitude for the support and donations they received at the event and Beuoy told the news station that the outpouring of support has made the men want to bring their business back even stronger than before. Hopefully, the veterans will see that dream come true in the near future.
If you’d like to help with the rebuilding of Hot Rod Rescue, donations can be made here.
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There's a major difference in the cars left after the blaze at Hot Rod Rescue and the ones that came out to support the business at the January car show. But the men behind the second-chance hot rod shop are slowly rebuilding their dreams.