COFFEE BRAKE & “The Journey of Hope”

For several years, www.SouthEastWheeslsEvents.com and a mix of TWs, Georgia Street Rodders and Master Car Club members have been having a regular breakfast cruise-in called the “Coffee Brake” at the Main Street Diner in Snellville, GA. I give credit for its start to Jerry Jones, who like a couple others, is a member of all three groups. It has been remarkably consistent; sometimes larger (40+ cars & bikes) and many times smaller, depending largely on weather.  The meet is on the fourth Sunday morning of each month, early, (7am) for breakfast and then when weather permits, moves to the parking lot with folding chairs, coffee, chat and photographs.

This last July meet had some special visitors.  The beautiful cars, especially an early Mustang convertible, caught the attention of bicycle riders passing by and they stopped to look at the collection in the parking lot. Breakfast was just over and the “Coffee Brake” drivers were staking out what little shade was around, as the sun was already heating up.  It was cooking up to be a fine little car show, with a real audience!

As we talked to the riders, we found out that they are participants in what they called the “Journey Of Hope”!  It was revealed that they were on a cross country bicycle ride starting in Long Beach, CA and were on their way to the White House in DC! It started on Long Beach Pier on June 12 and would end at the White House on August 8.

One rider stood out as a huge Mustang fan. His name was Hank Barnes, from Franklin, GA and took on the job of introducing his group to ours and it took on a fine tone of hospitality; of appreciation of our “boy toys”, and their physical efforts to raise funds for person with disabilities.  The “Journey Of Hope” is one of the projects of Pi Kappa Phi Philanthropy, a large college charity fraternity of over 100,000 current members around the world! http://www.abilityexperience.org/

I was so impressed I made a small donation in Hank’s name and found that he personally has raised over $6000 for this charity. It was a fun morning and deepened my appreciation of our “Coffee Brake”, my friends and wonderful people we can meet through our life’s journey! 

Please find the “Coffee Brake” listed each month on the Events Calendar on www.SouthEastWheelsEvents.com.  Come and join us and increase the numbers of GSRA members there!

Mike Thies – Mike@SouthEastWheelsEvents.com

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