Marshall Motors host annual ‘Cancer Cruise’ benefit
Don & Cindy Marshall
Story and Photos by Tina Cole Mullins
Inclement weather gave way to a perfect day for the annual cancer benefit Saturday June 22 at the home of Don and Cindy Marshall. Local classic car and vintage memorabilia enthusiasts know the Marshall’s Grass Lake home as a private car museum. Here, the couple combines their love for classic cars with giving back to the community, and Don’s passion for automobiles becomes evident with each museum piece.
“We had a phenomenal turnout this year, and because of that we will be writing a check to the American Cancer Society for $3,200. We beat last year’s donation by $1,150,” said Cindy Marshall, a former Stockbridge resident and co-coordinator of Marshall Motors Cancer Benefit Cruise-In. “Simply, we wanted to give back to the community, our third year of donations went to a local family, our fourth and fifth years’ donations went to St. Jude Foundation.”
In 2018, the sixth year of the event, more than a 100 cars attended, and this year’s totals exceeded expectations, drawing roughly 160 cars.
Monetary proceeds are gathered through the sales of T-shirts, through items donated from local businesses that are then raffled, and through a nominal $10 fee in which spectators may “burn out” in the Cancer Awareness Car, the Dragon Wagon.
Dragon Wagon
rear of dragon wagon
The names of those who are currently fighting the fight and in memory of those who lost the battle are displayed on the Cancer Awareness Car. “Allen Holbrook, a dear friend who lost his fight last June shortly before the car show is one such name,” Cindy Marshall explained.
She shared in a heartfelt thank you to his wife, Rhonda Holbrook, and daughter Alisa Meade who attended with Alan Holbrook’s truck, a gift he bestowed to Meade before his passing.
Alan Holbrook Dodge truck
1947 Dodge Truck of Alan Holbrook
Only one award is handed out each year, Cindy’s Pick, and this year’s award went to Tina Mell Ambs’s 1968 Mustang. Ambs’s car also won “Best Paint” in the 2013 Big B’s Memorial Cruise-in for Brian Mogan at Stockbridge Bowl.
Tina Mell Amb and her Mustang
In addition to the Marshalls’ notable charitable contributions to their communities, their cars have gained the attention of movie and commercial producers.
“I don’t remember the first movie,” Cindy Marshall said, “but we have probably rented cars to at least a dozen movies and commercials.” Some of the movies she recalled included “The Last Night” with Mark Wahlberg, “Stone” with Robert DeNiro, “Love and Honor” with Liam Hemsworth, and “Conviction” with Hilary Swank.
If you missed this event and would like to help support Cancer Awareness, join Marshall Motors at the Arctic Breakaway in Chelsea, August 4 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. for their third annual Cancer Cruise-in & American Veterans tribute. For more family fun, join Marshall Motors and Tylutki Farms Trunk or Treat, October 19 4 p.m.to 7 p.m., or visit Friends of Marshall Motors Classics on Facebook for event information and updates.
Marshall Motors, Rats, Rods and Customs
