By Michele Leight

This story taps into the real strength of America - grassroots kindness and community spirit - and wonderful people that help families from their own community that are reeling from expenses for kids with special needs. It is also about strong, loving parents that do whatever it takes to help their kids. It is no secret that healthcare costs are spiraling out of control in America, and these children need so much more just to keep them developing - and alive.

"Neighborhood Cruisers," (www.neighborhoodcruisers.com), is a non-profit classic American car club, with big hearted members that have fun attending Cruise Night together each week, and showing their cars to the public at national shows - 250 of the best classic muscle cars, street rods, trucks and motorcycles - and every August they organize a benefit to raise funds for kids with life threatening medical conditions.

The annual "Cruisin' for Kids" fundraiser attracts 10,000 spectators, and features live bands, a D.J., food, children's games, awards, raffles, 50/50, door prizes, trophies - and superb vehicles. The photographs here reflect a timeless American way of life that persists, revolving around roadside diners, hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza, and members that want to share their interest in classic American cars.

Like the best things in life, this story came my way by chance. I met Neighborhood Cruisers Club Member Bruce Barton in August 2007, when I saw his wife Helen's 1972 Cutlass Convertible (illustrated below) at Potampkin Honda in Manhattan, where my son was having repairs done to his car. The Oldsmobile drew me like a magnet.

Ever since I experienced the bouncy suspension of a Chevy Nova and Studebaker as a child, I have been a fan of Classic American cars. For me, they were the nearest thing to a magic flying carpet. The Barton's Oldsmobile Cutlass was a beauty, with its recently re-upholstered white leather seats, enormous steering wheel and huge engine.

"These cars are a labor of love," said Bruce with a smile, adding: "They are not driven every day. They are put away in the winter, but once the good weather returns, we bring them out and work on them. They are a lot of work!"

Bruce and I got talking about the Oldsmobile and classic cars, and I saw a "Neighborhood Cruisers" club calendar on his wall, with classic American cars parked outside "Annie's" diner, a favorite haunt of club members for many years, he said, and illustrated at the top of the story. That was when he told me how about the car club he belonged to, called The Neighborhood Cruisers, and their annual benefit, "Cruisin' for Kids," that helps pay expenses for kids in his community with special needs. I asked him how he got involved.

On July 4th 2005, Bruce and Helen pulled into "Annie's" Diner in Stony Point, Rockland County, New York, in the 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible I saw at Potampkin Honda. It was a beautiful day, so they decided to have lunch outside at the picnic tables. Joan and John saw their convertible, started up a conversation, and told them about the car club they belonged to, where members with classic American cars, trucks and motorcycles get together every Monday night at a diner from May to October for "Cruise Night."

Bruce and Helen became members of The Neighborhood Cruisers, and they attended "Cruise Night," where everyone showed their cars, ate hot dogs and listened to music from the 60s - and each week an award was given for the "coolest" car.

"It 's a lot of fun," said Bruce, in our interview, as he showed me photos of members cars and their get-togethers. The classic cars represent a nostalgic slice of American automobile history - which is something Neighborhood Cruisers wants to share, preserve, revive, and celebrate.

The Neighborhood Cruisers often met at Annie's Diner, an American "snack shack" that served hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza, founded 56 years ago by Annie Ciabattoni - a 16- year-old owner/manager/entrepreneur - with help from her dad Phil, who owned the gas station next door. For the first 25 years Annie worked the place alone, working from 8 am until midnight.

During interviews and while reading newspaper articles relating to this story, I was moved by the spontaneous, sincere community spirit - across the board - from the classic car club members, to the North Rockland High School (Thiells) that lets them use their property for their benefit each year, and high school students that helped raise funds for expensive medical tests, and the state trooper that stopped by Annie's every night when she was closing up the diner to make sure she got home safely. It is these people that are the rock of America, with their deep commitment to community and country, and their quiet support of those that fall through the cracks through no fault of their own. They do what they believe is right, without any desire for accolades or limelight.

2008 marks its seventh anniversary of "Cruisin for Kids." The benefit takes place the first Sunday in August, with the following Sunday as the rain date. So far, that has not been necessary because it has never rained. Classic cars, trucks and motorcycles are shown in the parking lot of Rockland County High School, (Thiells), and there are a wide variety of activities, vendors, (please visit their site for details), and many of the events are sponsored (if you would like to be a sponsor, please visit their web site for details). There are raffles and door prizes, said Bruce, who arranged for me to interview Grace, who is very involved with the benefit.

When I spoke with Grace she had just put zucchini and eggplant on the stove.

"It will be okay for a while," she said. I asked Grace how she found the kids, and why she got involved:

"I have two healthy grandchildren," she said. "When I see some of these kids it just breaks my heart. It is unbelievable what parents go through trying to take care of them. I read about them in the local newspaper, or people tell me about them. Its often word of mouth."

Grace's generous spirit, kind heart, and love of children, was evident:

Healthcare costs can be terrifying today, and children with special needs are especially vulnerable in a deeply flawed healthcare system that does not always look out for them. Grace suggested I speak with Terri Manning, whose daughter Lexi was a recipient of a "Cruisin' for Kids" fundraiser check. She had a lot to say about what can go wrong because she has experienced it first hand. Sometimes, kids fall through the cracks even though they are entitled to benefits and treatment, like her daughter did. This wreaks havoc on the family finances and stability, and exhausts struggling parents like Terri, even though they do everything possible to protect their children.

I liked Terri Manning the moment we started talking. Her responses were honest, and she was clearly a fighter. I asked her to put her feelings into words, because there may be parents out there with similar struggles that might be heartened by her story. Here is what she wrote:

"Sorry it took me a little longer to get back to you. Things are always so hectic. I have a daughter Lexi, 3 1/2 yrs old. She was diagnosed at 18 months with Angelmans Syndrome. This is a deletion of chromosome 15, which spontaneously happened. 1 in 10,000 children get this, so it's rare. She is globally delayed, has seizure disorder, hypotonia, ataxic movements, non-verbal, and her main mode of moving is crawling or cruising while holding onto things. Early intervention was started at 18 months. NYS offers a great program for children with disablilities from 0-3 yrs. She was started at a special needs school at 2 yrs old. It was hard to let go of her, and to let someone else have control of my 'baby.' However, it proved to be essential for her therapies and learning abilities. When she first started she was just crawling and now she cruises holding onto furniture."

"However, at age 3 she aged out of early intervention, into the school system. Well, even shortly before this is when the insurance battle started. We needed special equipment for my daughter. She was in the "system" as having state insurance - Wellcare and Medicaid NY. However, the system did not have her labeled as being special needs or with any handicap. So, everything that I tried to get, like medical equipment, she was turned down for. Why is insurance giving me such a hard time? Oh sorry, I forgot to mention, even though her paper work was filled out, the case worker who was on the case left. So even though my daughter was approved, it was not in the computer. I was working full-time then. So instead of fighting, I just paid for what she needed. Insurance claims, and more rejections for any equipment that she needed, went on and on. SSI for a disabled child! Well, forget about that!!!! It took 2 yrs until our accounts went dry for the things she needed. So now she qualified for this."

Lexi Manning, a past recipient of "Cruisin for Kids" benefit

"Why is it so hard to be a middle class American person like me? It seems like we always pay. I work so hard for everything I want and have. It seems like I need a lot of money, or no money, to get the things I desperately need for my daughter. I just don't 'get' the insurance system, or the government, or how the system works. Oh! that's another thing. It's a secret how the government system works, and no one wants to share it with you. So unless your family is already in the system, or an immigrant, it's a secret. Somewhere the system has made a wrong turn, and does not help hard working people."

"Least of all the insurance companies, that don't even look into all the claims made - turning down and denying claims that are sent to them for a special needs child! You have to be on the phone everyday just to hear them turn you down on the phone. My daughter's current pediatrician is kind and patient enough to fill out the snow blizzard of paper work for denials, trying to get them approved. Insurance companies are just making it harder for doctors to do their job - which is caring for the patient, not mounds of paperwork. The whole system just wants you to tire from all the fighting and give up. Well this is one mom who is going to fight till the end for what my daughter needs. I know people who just give up and the insurance does not have to pay for anything. For those weak at heart ---- fight for what you want. In my case it's my daughter and her needs.... DON'T GIVE UP!!!! BE Persistant!"

"My daughter is my angel in disguise!! She has shown me patience, how to smile on the toughest day, and how to be a great advocate. Oh. but I must not forget a loving mom!"

Terri sent the photographs of her sweet little Lexi, which I have included in this story.

Paul had to be flown out of Mexico by helicopter because he was paralyzed. The bill was $20,000, and his insurance company did not cover this expense. Some American health insurance companies do not cover accidents in Mexico, which is something parents need to know. It is important to check with your health insurance company before sending teenagers away for Spring Break to locations where they are not covered. Paul's condition was so serious he could not leave Mexico any other way.

Bruce said Paul's mother received a check the same evening as "Cruise Night for Paul." The good news is Paul is now doing well.

"Cruise Night" takes place at different diners and restaurants in New York State, but "Annies" was a great favorite with members said Bruce in our interview. So much good came from Neighborhood Cruisers get-togethers at "Annie's," which, sadly, was sold and the property demolished in 2008. Hopefully a new "Annies" will return some day, so members can congregate there, as they have done for so many years. Like the classic cars featured in this story, "Mom and Pop" diners are national treasures, "one of a kind" American gems that do not exist anywhere else in the world.

Each year new children are chosen as recipients of the proceeds of the annual fundraiser, "Cruisin for Kids." This years' three recipients are:

5 year old Jaden Rodriguez, who has Pilaster Killen Mosaic Syndrome; he has 47 chromosomes and should only have 46. He was born with 12 fingers and a crushed pallet, and has had a lot of surgery and cannot walk or talk. Jaden has two healthy siblings and only his mother to raise them.

2 year old Gary Odell has Cerebral Palsy, and cannot walk, stand or speak, but doctors say he will walk when he has braces for his ankles. With two other children to care for his mother does not work and does not have transportation, making it difficult for her to get to the doctors. Like millions of Americans, Gary's father works very hard, but still cannot get ahead, especially with the additional costs for Gary.

Lanie Pierce is 15 years old and has Cerebral Palsy. She suffered oxygen deprivation at birth, resulting in brain damage, but she has learned to work with it by using an eye controlled computer system - and she drives a power wheel chair using onlyh her head. Lanie has one sister and two brothers.

I called Terri Manning to thank her for her email:

"Neighborhood Cruisers are absolutely wonderful people," she said. I could hear her daughter Lexi making happy sounds in the background. She was right beside her mother. It was wonderful to know that.

When I called Grace to tell her the story would be up in a week, I could hear happy chaos in the background.

"We are watching our grandchildren today. Their grandpop has just made them bacon and pancakes," she said, her laughter mingling with theirs.

Please visit www.neighborhoodcruisers.com, or call if you would like to be a sponsor, vendor, attend, donate raffle items, pizza, or do anything for "Cruisin' for Kids" that helps bring light into the lives of these brave kids and their loving parents. It will be greatly appreciated.

If you would like to become a member of Neighborhood Cruisers, please visit www.neighborhoodruisers.com

More Information:

Write to: Neighborhood Cruisers/C/O Cruisin' For Kids, P.O. Box 325, Tompkins Cove, NY 10986.