Charity

When we started the Pileup we had hoped to make enough money to pay our expenses. If we had any money left after that, we set it aside for next year. As the years went by and our reputation grew, we found ourselves with more money each year. We still just set it aside for the following year. It takes a lot of money to put on the show because we try to keep your costs low, but still pay the bands well, get good services, and keep the costs down for the vendors, etc. It’s a party, not a money-making venture.

Well, in 2007, we finally had enough money in the account that allowed us to pay the show’s expenses, have money set aside to get the next year’s show off the ground, …and a surplus. We were able to give over $10,000 to various charities that year! We always said we would never profit from the show, and we haven’t.

The 2008 show had such an overwhelming pedestrian and car turnout that we were able to give away even more! Thanks to everyone who drove their cars to the show from near and far, thanks to Catherine and the Red Shirts who volunteered their time to make the show happen, thanks to the folks who came out just to see the show and kept it peaceful, and thanks to all our friends who made the show happen, we were able to give away $25,000 to 9 charities in 2008!! Especially in tough economic times, that money really helped some very deserving charities.

Each of the Chrome Czars and Catherine picked a charity and we sent them an equal share of the money. We all had personal reasons to give to each charity. 

The 2008 charities are:

This year funds went to the following groups.

Ste. Jeanne d’Arc School
Intrepid Fallen Hero’s Fund
UTI Foundation
Disabled American Veterans
Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition
Mid Atlantic Air Museum
Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans
Chicago Boys & Girls Clubs
Mooseheart High School Automotive Shop

Thank you for making this possible.