|
|
Time to read 6 min
Image by Michael Pointner
Beyond all the car shows, track days, overland rally weekends, and other events attended by serious car enthusiasts, the thing that the Subaru tribe loves more than anything is fellowship for a great cause. The brand we love is all about generosity so it has always attracted individuals that have a heart for giving and investing time to help something important be brought to light and raised into view to make a difference. Kindness, social awareness, and attention to what is important in the world is not a mystery to the Subaru brand and the overall community. All you need is to look around and observe these people in their natural habitat, whether on the road, track, or trail and you'll witness a large portion of individualism and personal pride in giving back and paying it forward. Only a group of car enthusiasts who have fallen head over heels for one of the most unique brand stories in the automotive industry would pull together and champion efforts to help those in need. A brilliant way to make a charitable, heart felt event more attractive to a Subaru owner is to inject a unique opportunity for them to drive their own vehicle, enjoy the open road, and discover some highways, byways, and scenic backroads with a group of old and/or new friends who share in their passion and compassion. As we have mentioned, this spirit and ingenuity is a common stream of belief that flows down through the brand onto its dedicated user base. One prime example of communal giving, fellowship, and heartfelt generosity of time, effort, and humanity is an event that has been gaining strength, conviction, and motivation steadily for almost a quarter century and counting.
Each year, the organizers of "The 48hrs of Tristate Annual Charity Drive" host a visible and physical display of giving and compassion by gathering Subaru owners from across the country of all types, levels of following, and assorted sectors of enthusiast genres, to roll across approximately 1,100 miles of paved territory over 3 full days to raise money and awareness for one of the nation's most notable causes. This year will mark the 24th consecutive year that this gathering will be using the unique and spirited individualism of the Subaru tribe to bring happiness and dreams to families who deserve all the support, grace, and generosity that can be built up and placed around their lives. Once enthusiasts hear about this gathering of friends - some they've yet to meet- they are not only excited to get involved and experience this annual event, they are thrilled to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Something that has a lasting effect. The beneficiary of this amazing event, Make-A-Wish New Jersey, an amazing foundation and charity that has been positively gifting and truly making wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions since 1983. According to the Make-A-Wish website, the Monroe Township-based chapter has granted more than 11,000 wishes impacting children and their families located in every county, town and municipality around the state of New Jersey. Continuing this year, the organizers at 48hrs of Tristate will act as another positive channel for needed funds to reach these children and help block any chance of lost hope from their lives. They have joined the supportive collective that is passionate about wishes that need to be granted.
Again, Subaru enthusiasts are a different breed, a unique, creative type, a tribal collective that thinks differently. Over two decades ago, five individuals from the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club (NASIOC), who at the time were I-Club members, made a simple goal to gather, hop in their beloved Subaru vehicles, and embark on a spirited motor tour of the Tri-State region, namely, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. They also thought, while taking in fellowship over sharing a common passion for their chosen brand and the love of driving, wouldn't it be amazing to use their collective power and efforts to give back to the community and contribute to the needs of others. The original idea gave birth to an amazing first journey in 2002 which morphed into a humble, simple effort to offer help to those directly aligned with the tragic events and losses grown out of the 9/11 attacks. A number of those who took part in the original drive were personally affected by this horrific, culture changing tragedy and those first responders and connected family members who, one way or another, would be forever altered. The first drive raised $1,500 for The NYS World Trade Center Relief Fund and launched a spirit of giving within this small group of enthusiasts that continued for the upcoming decades keeping the component of fund raising as the primary, integral, and founding element behind each journey. From the beginning of this initiative, 48hrs of Tristate has raised significant funding for a number of impactful organizations, including over $50,000 for The American Cancer Society, and totals of additional hundreds of thousands for the Amaryllis Lazada Cancer Fund, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Make-a-Wish, all organizations who do their best to support children and families everywhere who suffer from diseases like childhood cancer and other life threatening medical conditions. Twenty years after that first drive, 48hrs of Tristate collected over $100,000 for Make-a-Wish then, bringing in $150,000 the following year which continued the spirit of giving through the hearts of over 100-plus involved enthusiasts.
The 2025 journey between Thursday, January 16th and Sunday, January 19th continued its long history of traditional support for Make-a-Wish for another year with solid assistance from a number of sponsors, including ITA.Lifestyles, Kartboy, the National Auto Sport Association, and Johnstons Subaru. It is important to mention, that in addition, two decades of 48hrs of Tristate have also been supported by a number of other generous organizations including Vermont Sports Car, EFI Logics, Mach V Motorsports , COBB, and many more. Subaru of America Headquarters serves as the launching point for the drive and they traditionally sponsor the annual Friday Morning Breakfast, a welcomed event of fellowship and nutritional strength building before the drivers hit the pavement for this long journey together. Along with this list of sponsors and support organizations, a great group of people from diverse backgrounds, levels of experience, and car styles find themselves becoming one united band of brothers and sisters. Young, old, couples, families, close friends, neighbors, work mates, and some passionate retirees choose to take part in this memorable and helpful adventure. As we know, the pure enjoyment of owning and driving a Subaru for a good cause is the fuel that brought them to this traveling caravan communicating and sharing tales along the 1,000 miles of scenic roadway. In the tradition of most Subaru-based events, the 48hrs of Tristate brings people together every year, encourages, inspires, and most importantly, builds a strong community. Another sponsor who has a heart for this organization, the causes they support, and those who make a critical contribution each year is the team here at Subimods. Two members of our team, Chuck Mayer and Ryan Stanson, contributed to this important journey first hand by driving and experiencing the route over those days in our modified 2022 Subaru WRX, a well-known vehicle to our customer base and to many through the vast Subaru community. In the second part of our story, we will share photos, video, and some great commentary from the trip as experienced by both Chuck and Ryan during the journey's timeline. We hope it will be both inspiring and motivating for any enthusiast who wants to get involved in future events.
Part Two is coming soon!
Subimods is always passionate about helping the community and taking part in supporting great, charitable causes, and organizations that create events to make a difference like the enthusiasts behind 48hrs of Tristate.
For more information regarding how you can take part in future events organized by The 48hrs of Tristate Annual Charity Drive, and make a donation to The Make-A-Wish Foundation, please visit their individual websites and show your support as a proud and giving Subaru enthusiast. There are children and their families just waiting for their wishes to come true.
As always, we would be very interested in your thoughts regarding the first part of this article series and would encourage your feedback and comments. You are important to us.
Write your comments below and continue this conversation. We are always thrilled to hear your opinions. THANK YOU!
Bryon Turcotte - Managing Editor/Writer
Turcotte has worked as a writer, journalist, and digital content developer for 30 years. He began his career in music journalism in 1995 then worked for several years as both a staff writer, managing editor, and a freelancer for both regional and national music publications. Over the next three decades his contributions extended beyond the music industry as he served within the realms of higher education, science and technology, manufacturing, and finance. He has been serving as a content developer and writer on the Subimods Marketing team since August 2023.
{"one"=>"Select 2 or 3 items to compare", "other"=>"{{ count }} of 3 items selected"}
