Cruising Southern Maryland presents $25K to veterans home

On Tuesday, June 18, Cruisin’ Southern Maryland for Veterans presented the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home with a $25,000 donation from its recent 100 mile cruise and car show through Southern Maryland.

All told, the group has donated $127,000 to the veterans home since the event began.

The 8th Annual Crusin’ Southern Maryland for Veterans took place May 25, beginning in Charlotte Hall and going through Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties, with stops along the 100-mile route, before returning to Charlotte Hall for a car show at the veterans home, where veterans select some of the award winners.

Over 200 vehicles registered for the event, with some coming from as far away as New York and Florida, said John Parlett of Cruisin’ Southern Maryland, Inc.

Parlett said the event began “a little bit by accident” over seven years ago, when a group of car buffs got together and discussed driving their cars around the region. It was decided that they should do it to raise money for charity.

“What could be a better cause than raising money for our veterans?” said Parlett.

The first year, the group raised $4,000, which it donated to the veterans home.

“Since that time, it grew and grew to become more of an event,” Parlett said. Eventually, the group became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

“It’s been a great relationship for driving our vehicles. We have the freedom to do that because of the sacrifices by these veterans,” Parlett said.

The group has been able to help fund a concrete pad, a pavilion and other improvements for the veterans home.

The group has worked closely with veterans home director Sharon Murphy.

“What surprised me was how it took off and how many people have been supportive of it,” Murphy said.

Murphy added that the car show at the veterans home is an annual highlight.

“The veterans love it, the staff love it, the families love it,” Murphy said.

For more information, visit cruisinsomd. com.