Funfest Is Coming! Mid America Names St. Jude as 2017 Charity

Mid America Motorworks began with Chief Cheerleader Mike Yager selling patches and manuals out of the trunk of a car in his early twenties. That tradition of attending car shows has endured, and in 2016 brought the next generation of Yagers to Corvette Adventures, where Blake and Tabbi Yager had the opportunity to hear St. Jude Corvette Drive Board President Andrew Black speak.

It didn’t take long for Mike and Laurie Yager to meet Andrew and his wife Lesa, as well as Board Treasurer Jeff McClanahan and his wife Angela. Along with Blake and Tabbi Yager, the group traveled to Memphis to learn the story of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“I don’t know if it’s becoming grandparents or the wisdom that comes as you gain years, but this organization really hit home with us. We want to continue helping St. Jude, and want put our connections within the hobby to use,” Mike said. “Promoting the St. Jude Corvette Drive and naming St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as our Charity Event recipient makes perfect sense.”

The Corvette Funfest 2017 Charity Event begins at 6:30 pm on Friday, Sept. 15th at the Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham, Ill. This Corvette/Las Vegas attire event will welcome attendees to a Las Vegas-style casino night.

Attendees are invited to test their luck at Blackjack, Poker, Craps and other classic casino games, while enjoying an Elvis Presley impersonator, Vegas-themed hors d’oeuvres and more.

Following the over-the-top theme of the evening, prizes at the Charity Event include an all expenses paid 2018 MY Ultimate Funfest Experience for two; as well as a Las Vegas Vacation, including a Ron Fellows Driving Experience for two!

Corvette Adventures and Chula Vista Resort in the Wisconsin Dells are offering up a three-bedroom condo and admission for six adults for Corvette Adventures in 2018, VIP tickets to Corvettes at Carlisle in 2018, and much more!

Tickets are $100 per person and include starter casino chips and two drink tickets. To reserve your ticket to the Charity Event, click here. If you are unable to attend and would still like to make a charitable donation, please click here.

The Yagers were awed by the story of St. Jude founder Danny Thomas. Originally known for his talents as a singer and actor, Thomas sought guidance from St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes.

He drew from his entertainment industry success to found St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which quickly became a world leader in developing new treatments for childhood cancers and other illnesses. St. Jude remains a groundbreaking research hospital for several childhood illnesses, helping push overall childhood cancer survival rates from 20% when it opened in 1962 to 80% today.

Since its 2012 inception, the St. Jude Corvette Drive has raised more than $650,000 to further the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The 2018 St. Jude Corvette Drive kicks off May 17th in Peoria, Ill.

The group will travel to Mid America Motorworks in Effingham where the entire group will caravan to Memphis. Once they arrive in Memphis, the Corvettes set up an impromptu car show for the staff, patients and their families at the hospital. Mid America Motorworks has a goal of 200 cars for the 2018 trip.

Those who want to participate next year can sign up during Corvette Funfest at the St. Jude Corvette Drive tent on the Funfest grounds. For Corvette enthusiasts who would like to participate, but do not want to drive, an option to join The Drive from the comfort of a charter bus is also available. Participants have the option to choose a starting point of Peoria or Effingham, Illinois.

Corvette Funfest is a four-day event that celebrates the Corvette hobby. Located on the Funfest Grounds in Effingham, Illinois, this year’s event will celebrate the 1967 Corvette Sting Ray and include a Thursday Night Fun Run, a Corvette Drag Race, a Saturday Night Concert by the World Classic Rockers, daily Celebrity Choice Awards and so much more. Registration is open at http://registration.corvettefunfest.com/default.aspx.

About the author

Dave Cruikshank

Dave Cruikshank is a lifelong car enthusiast and an editor at Power Automedia. He digs all flavors of automobiles, from classic cars to modern EVs. Dave loves music, design, tech, current events, and fitness.
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