Gift contributes to <em>For Iowa. Forever More: The Campaign for the University of Iowa</em>
Monday, July 8, 2013

Cruis’n for the Kids—an annual local car show—has made a $50,000 gift commitment to support the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital building campaign.

Herky and cheerleaders pose next to a vintage car
Herky, cheerleaders, and youth pose next to a vintage car at a previous Cruis'n for the Kids event. Photo courtesy of Cruis'n for the Kids organizers.

The gift from Cruis’n for the Kids will support efforts to build the new 14-story, 195-bed children’s hospital—Iowa’s only comprehensive children’s hospital and academic medical center, serving patients in all of Iowa’s 99 counties and adjacent states.

The needs of Iowa’s youngest patients have outgrown the capacities of the UI’s hospital, and services are currently spread throughout the larger UI Hospitals and Clinics complex. Care for infants and children often requires specialized facilities, and gifts such as those from Cruis’n for the Kids will help unite those services and enhance the care for Iowa’s youngest patients.

The yearly Cruis’n for the Kids Car Show hosts more than 150 classic and vintage cars and bikes from all around Iowa. The sixth annual show will take place on Saturday, July 13, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Krause Family Plaza at Kinnick Stadium.

The event is free to the public, and features activities for the whole family—including Hot Wheels drag races, face painting, a toss game, and free Hot Wheels for all the kids. A silent auction will feature Hawkeye items and a Hawkeye pedal car. The event will also have classic 1950s and 1960s music and a visit by the Hawkeye Spirit Squad and Hawkeye Cheerleaders.

“The show is a lot of fun, and all for a great cause. We do this for the kids who need our help.”

—Terry Protextor, Cruis’n for the Kids car show co-host

Previous Cruis’n for the Kids car shows have generated nearly $25,000 in support for UI Children’s Hospital. Support has been directed to many critical programs at UI Children’s Hospital. Proceeds from the yearly Cruis’n for the Kids Car Show are given directly to UI Children’s Hospital through the University of Iowa Foundation.

“We’re all just kids at heart,” says car show co-host Terry Protextor. “Car guys and gals just have bigger toy cars to play with. The show is a lot of fun, and all for a great cause. We do this for the kids who need our help.”

In recognition of their generous gift commitment, a patient room inside the new UI Children’s Hospital will be named in honor of Cruis’n for the Kids.

For more information about the Cruis'n for the Kids Car Show, contact event organizer Terry Protextor at Pro-Classics@mchsi.com or 319-358-8390, or visit the website: http://www.motortopia.com/event/9848.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this event, contact Kinnick Stadium in advance at 319-335-9327.

About the University of Iowa Foundation

The University of Iowa Foundation’s mission is advancing the University of Iowa and fulfilling the aspirations of those it serves. The university’s dedicated contributors fund a broad array of needs, from student scholarships, breakthrough research, and life-changing health care to innovative facilities, community outreach, and global education.

The UI Foundation is the preferred channel for private contributions that benefit all areas of the UI. For more information about the foundation and the campaign, visit the foundation website at www.uifoundation.org.