A team of cancer survivors pilot a Columbia ParCar golf car in a mileage endurance challenge benefiting the Moffitt Cancer Center currently under construction in The Villages, Florida's largest retirement community.
Fundraising efforts, led by associates of Columbia ParCar - Florida, began months before the actual event with pledges & donations made by donors guessing how far the Columbia Electric Eagle could be driven on a single charge. The donor whose guess was closest to the actual mileage traveled - without going over - would win the golf cart driven in the challenge, which was donated by the W.R. & Floy A. Sauey Family Foundation of Baraboo, Wisconsin.
On April 9th at 8:20 am near the still under development Brownwood Town Square, the Miles for Moffitt mileage challenge began with Charley Smith at the wheel of the freshly charged Columbia ParCar Eagle. A cancer survivor himself, Charley jumped at the chance to get behind the wheel and to raise funds for the new cancer center. The Eagle "was driven by five cancer survivors who took turns driving it," said Pete Wahl, chairman of the Villages Health System Foundation, the organization responsible for raising the necessary funds to purchase equipment for the Moffitt Center.
The mileage challenge ended 80.6 miles later after four different cancer survivors took a turn at the wheel. The golf car and its police escort visited most of the unique communities in The Villages. "We are pleased with our performance today. The Eagle traveled more miles today than a normal driver is likely to ever need to go on a single charge," said Todd Sauey CEO of Columbia ParCar. It made several stops at each of the town squares where booths had been setup to continue efforts to collect additional pledges and raise awareness about the Moffitt Cancer Center's plans.
The winning guess and pledge was made by Joan Miller of The Villages. She guessed 80.5 miles and will soon be driving around in the very same vehicle used in the "Miles for Moffitt" event.
Columbia Miles for Moffitt - Video 1 from Columbia ParCar on Vimeo.
For more information contact:
Greg Breckley
(800) 222-4653
About Columbia ParCar Corp.:
Columbia ParCar Corp. is a Wisconsin based manufacturer of PURE ELECTRIC powered Low Speed Vehicles (LSV's) as well as utility, industrial, commercial and passenger vehicles that are distributed through an international network of independent dealers. For pricing information or the location of your nearest Columbia dealer, contact Columbia ParCar Corp., 1115 Commercial Ave., Reedsburg, WI 53959 USA by calling (800) 222-4653, e-mailinfo@parcar.com or visit their website at www.parcar.com.
Columbia ParCar Corp. is a Nordic Group company. The Nordic Group (headquartered in Baraboo, Wisconsin) consists of 18 service and manufacturing facilities and 26 marketing units around the world. The Nordic Group is privately (family) owned with over 2,000 associates. The Nordic Group manufactures and distributes plastic, seating and transportation products worldwide for industrial, commercial and consumer markets. For more information or catalog, write The Nordic Group of Companies, Ltd. 414 Broadway, Suite 200, Baraboo, WI 53913 USA, visit www.nordicgroup.com, fax: 608-356- 5773 or e-mail: info@nordicgroup.com.
About Moffitt Cancer Center:
Located in Tampa, Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center is an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center; a designation that recognizes Moffitt’s excellence in research and contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt currently has 14 affiliates in Florida, one in Georgia, one in Pennsylvania and two in Puerto Rico. Additionally, Moffitt is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of the country’s leading cancer centers, and is listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” for cancer. Moffitt marks a very important anniversary this year – 25 years committed to one mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.
