Drive to help Rally Across America raise $1 million for struggling non-profits

The Three Rivers Alfisti will be supporting the Rally Accross America effort with two upcoming events: 

• July 11, 2020 “Over the River Tour “
• August 29, 2020 "Staggerwinging with Catz"

All of the proceeds from both of these events with be contributed to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix charities. Be sure to register ASAP!   We will be posting more information on these events with details we get closer.  Below is an article from Hagerty Insurance that explains more about the Rally Accross America.

Jeff Peek, Events, Hagerty Community
23 June 2020

Lilly Pray has a passion for cars, and now she’s channeling that energy into an organized drive that will give back to the community. Lilly, a nurse in Boulder, Colorado, serves an ambassador for Rally Across America, a grassroots organization whose goal is to raise more than $1 million for nonprofit groups across the U.S.
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As a frontline medical worker and car lover, the fundraising tour is right in Pray’s wheelhouse, and it all started with her dad. Malcom Pray Jr. was a successful car dealer and well-known collector who gave generously to the Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Club, Red Cross, USO, and other local charities in Greenwich, Connecticut.

“My father taught me how to drive classic cars,” she says of Malcom, who passed away in 2013. “If I wanted to spend time with my dad, it was in the garage with him, as well as attending a lot of auctions and concours events.

“I’ve been a concours judge for many years, and it is probably how I made my dad the proudest when I started judging at Hilton Head Concours 19 years ago. He instilled in me a great sense of giving and giving back to my community,” she says.

Lilly Pray began working in the medical field in 1987, first as volunteer, which led to a career as a firefighter/paramedic. She became an RN in 2010 and volunteers as a victim advocate for the Boulder Police Department.

“My brother died in a car crash in 1986,” she says of Malcolm Pray III. “It was a life changing event. My life motto has been always to ‘help the weaker hikers on their journey.’ So as an EMS provider, and now a RN, I guess I’m still helping the weaker hikers and holding their hands in whatever way I can.”
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She jumped at the opportunity to help Rally Across America, which hosted its inaugural drive on June 7, with proceeds going to the Connecticut Foodbank. A total of 41 cars took part, with each driver donating the suggested $100.

Lilly says the idea began with her friends Frank Taylor and Wendy and Jim Petty, who organized the drive as a way to recognize and give to 501(c)3 nonprofits in their area that have greatly suffered during the COVID-19 lockdown. Pray happened to be in Connecticut at the time, so she immediately registered her 1987 Porsche 911. Since Rally Across America hopes to have ambassadors in every state (and average eight drives per state), she took the lead for Colorado.

The first drive that Pray is organizing is set for June 28, beginning and ending in Boulder. Her chosen beneficiary is the Denver-based Morgan Adams Foundation, which raises funds for pediatric cancer research. “The MAF holds the best four-hour concours in the world,” she says, “and they had to cancel their annual major fundraiser on August 24 due to the ongoing events with COVID.”
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She has planned two other drives for July 26 and August 16. They will follow a route “into the foothills of the mountains—an easy 60-mile drive lasting 3–4 hours.” As a registered nurse, Lilly is well aware of the possible negative ramifications of any gathering, so social distancing guidelines will be observed. “We just want to get out in our cars and help the nonprofit community,” she says.

She’ll be driving the 1959 Porsche Convertible D that she has owned for 25 years. If you’re sensing a Porsche pattern here, you’re onto something. Lilly’s daughter is named Portia.

Pray says Rally Across America events are planned in six states so far, including one later this year, organized by Barn Find Hunter Tom Cotter, that will travel country roads from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Virginia International Speedway and include a parade lap on the track. Details are forthcoming.

“Driving cars makes me happy,” Lilly says. “My car friends really are my family, and there is nothing as fun as gathering for a family reunion—whether it’s at a concours event, a 1000-mile drive, or a short day-run with friends.”
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Rally Across America ambassadors are being sought in every state. If you’re interested in becoming an ambassador or joining a ride near you, contact Lilly Pray at LillyPrayRAA@gmail.com.

Three Rivers Alfisti Events

Here are the links to both of our club events.  Sign up for one of both! 

Staggerwinging with Catz Tour Aug 29

$60.00

Saturday, August 29, "Staggerwinging with Catz Tour" is part of the Rally Across America Tour to raise money for charities. 100% of your fee will be given to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Charities.

The Tour will start at Maserati of Pittsburgh and take a series of backroads over the border into Ohio where we will tour one of the premier Beech Staggerwing aircraft restorers in the country. We will then travel over to Catz Auto Restoration for a tour of his Jagaur and Italian car restorations and we will grill some food on the incredible lakefront lawn.

We will be joined by the NE Ohio AROC Chapter as well as the Ferrari Club of America Western Pa Chapter and Ferrari Club of America Ohio Chapter.

Individual Clubs will need to collect money for the cookout. Details to follow as we get closer.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN IN THE RALLY AND NOT PART OF THE ALFA ROMEO CLUB, YOU CAN OBTAIN A ONE DAY MEMBERSHIP IN AROC.

This is open to Ferrari, Fiat, Lancia & Maserati Club members. If your club would like to join us please contact Bernard Martin, Rally Across America Ambassador, with questions 412.996.5700 or bernie@concoursllc.us

We will have printed out maps and a link to one of two apps that you can view the route on your phone. My Route (Android & iPhone) & Rallista (iPhone only)

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Over the River Tour July 11

$60.00

Join us for for our July "Over the River" Tour!

This is part of the Rally Across America Tour series to benefit local charities. 100% of the $60/per car fee is going to be donated to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix and their charities.

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