Well, our 8th annual May It Forward is in the books, and it was one for the ages!. BONES is proud to announce that this was our biggest and best year yet! Our Friday night cruise had 40 trucks in attendance, and our main event on Saturday had a total of 100 trucks representing 13 states with a running donation tally of $25,093 dollars! The weather could not have been more perfect for all of our friends travelling near and far and, to that, I am most grateful. Our very first event only had 25 trucks total and to have 40 on the street cruise alone was simply amazing! The continued enthusiastic support that the group has given us over the years is very humbling.
The cruise took a leisurely pace through North Central Massachusetts seeing back roads, reservoirs and little league games! We managed to stop for a group photo, but that proved to be a challenge as having 40 trucks participating is not conducive to getting all the rides in one picture. Nevertheless, we tried and pressed on. Our dinner break was even more challenging, since having 100 people suddenly show up put a major crimp in the Drive-In's ability to serve everyone. Many headed off to alternate restaurants only to see us again in the morning.
Saturday started with a 4 am, can't sleep, wake up to the day. Dropping off the many raffle prizes the day before alleviated some pressure, but anxiety was still present with what the day would bring. Every year of sweating the details and thinking "What if only a few show up? Did they not like last year?" quickly got put to rest by 9am as the trucks came rolling in. The smiles, reconnecting, and those awesome trucks are what make this event so special. Not only was it record-breaking attendance, but Travis Mills himself, along with his mom, came down to meet and mingle with the BONES faithful. To say he was thoroughly impressed is an understatement. He is such a cool and unassuming guy and immediately gives off a confident vibe that anything can be achieved. (except the completion of my project truck!)
A lunch of hotdogs, burgers and the trimmings were consumed prior to our hearty raffle that, every year, continues to amaze me. The participants who donate items to give away and the generosity of all of our wonderful vendors is heartwarming and sincere. The fact that we doubled last year's donations is staggering! I am equally blown away by the growth of this "little New England" get-together and what it has become as well as the good that it brings to our veterans in need. A special thank you to the Bronco Nation website for the generous donation from their Gear for Good t-shirt sales! As for why we do this...please check out the Travis Mills Foundation and its Mission at travismillsfoundation.org.
Thank you to ALL. With gas prices at an all-time high, hotel stays, and the opening up of wallets can be an expensive endeavor, we greatly appreciate the participation and commitment that many have given us over the years. Please mark your calendar for next year, May 12-13th, for our 9th go-round! Hope to see you at the next one!
The cruise took a leisurely pace through North Central Massachusetts seeing back roads, reservoirs and little league games! We managed to stop for a group photo, but that proved to be a challenge as having 40 trucks participating is not conducive to getting all the rides in one picture. Nevertheless, we tried and pressed on. Our dinner break was even more challenging, since having 100 people suddenly show up put a major crimp in the Drive-In's ability to serve everyone. Many headed off to alternate restaurants only to see us again in the morning.
Saturday started with a 4 am, can't sleep, wake up to the day. Dropping off the many raffle prizes the day before alleviated some pressure, but anxiety was still present with what the day would bring. Every year of sweating the details and thinking "What if only a few show up? Did they not like last year?" quickly got put to rest by 9am as the trucks came rolling in. The smiles, reconnecting, and those awesome trucks are what make this event so special. Not only was it record-breaking attendance, but Travis Mills himself, along with his mom, came down to meet and mingle with the BONES faithful. To say he was thoroughly impressed is an understatement. He is such a cool and unassuming guy and immediately gives off a confident vibe that anything can be achieved. (except the completion of my project truck!)
A lunch of hotdogs, burgers and the trimmings were consumed prior to our hearty raffle that, every year, continues to amaze me. The participants who donate items to give away and the generosity of all of our wonderful vendors is heartwarming and sincere. The fact that we doubled last year's donations is staggering! I am equally blown away by the growth of this "little New England" get-together and what it has become as well as the good that it brings to our veterans in need. A special thank you to the Bronco Nation website for the generous donation from their Gear for Good t-shirt sales! As for why we do this...please check out the Travis Mills Foundation and its Mission at travismillsfoundation.org.
Thank you to ALL. With gas prices at an all-time high, hotel stays, and the opening up of wallets can be an expensive endeavor, we greatly appreciate the participation and commitment that many have given us over the years. Please mark your calendar for next year, May 12-13th, for our 9th go-round! Hope to see you at the next one!
