A productive Sunday in the parking lot – Car Show raises $4,000 for Mom’s Cancer Fighting Angels

By Joanie Allbee

Mom’s Cancer Fighting Angels’ 11th Annual Car Show raised $4,000 last Sunday (July 13) – the second biggest fund-raiser in its history. The group – which includes Guy and Brenda Moley, John Melanson, John Gilmore, Darlene Coates and Jodi and daughter Alexis Comeau – plans to give this year’s proceeds to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life organization.

As 225 car entries – including motorcycles and trucks – rolled onto the parking lot of the Saugus Middle-High School, people strolled around enjoying vendor choices while voting for their or loved one’s favorite choices. Each entry held a numeral car dash plaque that viewers used to identify in voting for their favorites.

People walking by a 1966 Volkswagen Bug (with a license plate BUGINN) with a surfboard and suitcase tied to a rack on the roof may have felt like they were going on a beach vacation. The color of the car, with its perfect sky-blue color, matched the sky.

A black jeep called “Grumpy,” which displayed skeletons inside and a host of ghosts, won the Adam Benjamin Memorial Trophy. His sister Kaitlynn picked the vehicle she believed Adam Benjamin would have chosen.

Locals Ann and Andres Sirois, owners of a cherry red 1968 Dodge Coronet, were excited to be participating in another of Mom’s Cancer Fighting Angels’ Car Shows. “We have been longtime car enthusiasts,” Ann said. “It’s a great event organized by a fundraiser that’s meaningful to us,” she said.

Bob Camley, hanging out with his 1966 Chevy Impala Convertible, piped up, “Guy’s a good guy and it’s for a good cause.”

Gino DiGuardo and Peter Jardin admired Zachary Maravelias’ 2011 Ford Raptor. Meanwhile, Zachary’s dad, James Maravelias, hung around his white 2007 Dodge Ram.

“Anytime Guy puts on a show, I’m there. He’s a great guy,” Peter Bernard said as he stood near his 2004 Corvette Z06.

Saugonian Joe Silipigni carried on the father-son tradition by fixing up his dad’s car as a quiet memorial to his son Alan, who tragically passed away several years ago at 14. The late Alan Silipigni was known for correcting his dad when he said it was his car; Alan would remind his dad that his grandfather was the actual owner of the 1970 gold Pontiac LeMans.

Full of gusto and generosity, Hank Feiner, a U.S. Marine veteran, was proud of his 2016 black Corvette Stingray Z51. Hank loves to take home the trophies he wins and share them during his frequent visits at Veteran hospitals.

Luke DeSisto’s USMC tow truck’s American flag billowed in the wind as Luke opened the door, beckoning curious passersby to step up and take a seat behind the wheel. This truck served its country over in Ramadi, Iraq.

Locals Jim and Christine Chute’s 30-year restoration father and son project – a peacock blue 1956 Ford F-100 – was completed six months before Jim’s father passed away.

“It’s always a great show and we’ve been coming for years,” said Al and Anita Jansky.

Seven-year-old Alexander Lucas drove his five-year-old-sister Madeline around in her pink Mustang for the Pink Patch Project. Madeline won the Best Child’s Car Trophy.

At the Closing ceremony, 10 memorial trophies were presented, based on car dash plaque numbers that were displayed on each of the vehicles. In addition, Vito Venuti received a plaque. He chose to award the Anthony Venuti Memorial Trophy in honor of his brother to Derek Karpenko, the owner of a custom Buick Riviera.

Here are some other highlights from the awards presentation:

– Deanna Montano, the wife of Saugus Police Officer Domenic Montano, presented the Samuel Musto Memorial Trophy to the owner of a motorcycle.

–The recipient of the Adam Benjamin Memorial Trophy was chosen by his sister Kaitelynn, who thought her late brother would have liked the black “Halloweenish” jeep filled with skeletons.

–The Adam Slavin Memorial Trophy was presented by Adam’s father.

–Dicky Macguire won the Best in Show Trophy for his 1970 Chevy Chevelle.

–The Julie McLaughlin Memorial Trophy was presented by her father, Mike.

–There was also an Educator’s Trophy presented.

–There was also a Kids Choice Award selected by the children. A People’s Choice trophy was also presented.