More than 2100 classic cars, street rods and motorcycles from six rally points across Maryland, and in Delaware, thundered onto the Benedictine campus in Ridgely, Md., for Chrome City Ride on Sunday, July 29. The 17th annual ride raised over $118,000 to support the more than 200 children and adults with disabilities served by Benedictine.
The event, organized and ran by volunteers, has grown into the state’s largest ride and has helped to raise over $1.6 million since the ride’s inception. Now, much more than a ride, Chrome City is a way for the community to learn more about Benedictine’s mission to help children and adults with developmental disabilities achieve their greatest potential. Each year students and spectators look forward to dancing along with Rockin’ Elvis and seeing who takes home the Sister’s Choice award. This year’s ride also featured special guests Candy Clark and Cindy Williams from the classic film “American Graffiti.”
“We are honored to have so many car enthusiasts from the Maryland and Delaware region come to support the kids each year,” said Benedictine Foundation Director Barry Smale. “This is an event where our kids love seeing the cars and motorcycles. They interact with the various owners. The owners take a lot of great individual time to show the kids what is special about their cars and motorcycles.”
Generous sponsors, registration locations and volunteers continue to make the event a success year after year. Smale thanked CPR Vintage Porsche Restoration in Easton for helping to promote the event, and Outback Steakhouse, Green Turtle, Paul T. Ewing, Inc. in Easton, Hitchcock Autoworks and the Old Glory and Rommel Harley Davidson dealerships for serving as registrations locations and rally points. Volunteers from Callahan’s Gas and Appliance in Centreville helped with parking the hundreds of cars on campus, and new this year, Choptank Transport in Preston had more than a dozen volunteers come and help.
Each rider passed under a large U.S flag at Benedictine’s front entrance waving from a ladder truck provided by the Denton Fire Department. Famous Dave’s provided a hot BBQ lunch and each rider took home a collectible T-shirt printed and designed by Benedictine’s Graphics department.
