FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Deb Pollack (t) 805.320.9248
info@drivetowardacure.org
www.drivetowardacure.org
DF MEDIA CREATES ‘DRIVE-IN CHAT’ SERIES –- First of 9 Car Video Vignettes Premiere as Fundraising Endeavor Comes to Life
Car Collector Stories Enhance Drive Toward a Cure’s Efforts to Support Parkinson’s Disease
DARIEN, CT – February 2, 2021 – For car collectors and car lovers, there is often one common denominator – when a feeling of motorized infatuation easily becomes never-ending heartfelt devotion. Alexander Davidis, CEO of DF Media, opens the door to that passion with his ‘Drive-In Chat’ video series, which began as a fundraising tool for his involvement with non-profit Drive Toward a Cure, and launches today with the first in a series of nine inspirational vignettes that offer entry into a very inclusive car community. Davidis will be releasing one new video ongoing over the next 10-12 weeks, and all will be hosted on both Drive Toward a Cure’s website at www.drivetowardacure.org/conversations-for-a-cause-2020 and DF Media’s content station, CarCulture.TV.
Alexander Davidis, CEO of DF Media (left) and Executive Producer Jeff Ehoodin, have released the first of nine video ‘Drive-In Chat’ vignettes – a series of car collector stories created as a fundraising effort for non-profit Drive Toward a Cure and benefiting the Division of Movement Disorders at Columbia University (NY), a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence. New videos will be released weekly over the next 10-12 weeks, and all will be hosted on both Drive Toward a Cure’s website at www.drivetowardacure.org/conversations-for-a-cause-2020 and DF Media’s content station, CarCulture.TV.
This beautiful 1928 4.5-liter Bentley VDP Tourer belongs to CT-based collector David McGirr, and will be showcased in DF Media’s ‘Drive-in Chat’ series as one of nine video ‘Conversations for a Cause’ vignettes created as a fundraiser for non-profit Drive Toward a Cure, benefiting the Division of Movement Disorders at Columbia University (NY), a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence. New videos will be released weekly over the next 10-12 weeks, and all will be hosted on both Drive Toward a Cure’s website at www.drivetowardacure.org/conversations-for-a-cause-2020 and DF Media’s content station, CarCulture.TV.
Westport, NY resident and car collector Joseph Fuller recently shared his passion for cars and specifically his 1972 DeTomaso Pantera during DF Media’s ‘Drive-in Chat’ series – one of nine video ‘Conversations for a Cause’ vignettes to be released beginning this week on both non-profit Drive Toward a Cure’s website at www.drivetowardacure.org/conversations-for-a-cause-2020 and DF Media’s content station, CarCulture.TV. The videos were filmed last November as a fundraiser to support Parkinson’s Disease and benefit the Division of Movement Disorders at Columbia University (NY), a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence.
Jim and Wendy Petty, founders of philanthropic halo organization Rally Across America, brought their 1958 Porsche 356 A to partake in the recent ‘Drive In Chats’ video series created by DF Media as a fundraiser for non-profit Drive Toward a Cure in support of Parkinson’s Disease. Rally Across America partnered with Drive Toward a Cure to help increase localized charitable efforts and together the two have raised nearly $15K for Parkinson’s organizations in various regions. Petty’s soon-to-be released video will reside on both Drive Toward a Cure’s website at www.drivetowardacure.org/conversations-for-a-cause-2020 and DF Media’s content station, CarCulture.TV as part of nine vignettes discussing ‘Conversations for a Cause.’
The mission for Drive-In Chats was initially developed by Executive Producer, Jeff Ehoodin, who is also an Ambassador for the charity, and was inspired to bring ‘Conversations for a Cause’ to light through video vignettes highlighting collectors’ affection for the vehicles most special to them, while raising funds for Parkinson’s Disease.
During 2020, Deb Pollack, founder of Drive Toward a Cure, was seeking the ability for regional groups to support her organization’s ‘Access to Care’ fund and aligned with philanthropic arm Rally Across America to raise awareness and dollars for local charitable needs. Her goal was to support various Parkinson Foundation Centers of Excellence throughout the country and prior programs all included physical drives. With the combination of limitations set by fewer gatherings due to the pandemic, and the challenges of weather in the winter, Ehoodin’s idea of ‘Conversation’s for a Cause’ in the Northeast soon became a longer-lasting reality.
“The mantra for Drive Toward a Cure has always been one of ‘cars and camaraderie’ and Jeff and Alexander were able to create an environment that could showcase the ‘why’ behind it all,” said Pollack. Because of their connections within the classic car community, an immediate buzz started, and the 1-day event was filled within 24 hours. The event brought together car collectors of exceptional vintage vehicles to share their stories and owner experiences while showcasing some beautiful and historically significant cars.
“Thanks to collector, racer and Connecticut resident David Porter’s generosity, we were able to create a space for this first event last November, where owners could safely drive up and share how they first fell in love with cars, showcase their favorite ride and give back to the community,” said Davidis. “We’re looking forward to showcasing the entire effort and growing the program to further the car community’s ability to help others at the same time. We’re quite anxious to tap into the creativity of enthusiasts and continuing to channel positive energy toward helping those in need.”
The fundraising effort exceeded monetary goals considerably – with 100% of the proceeds benefitting the Division of Movement Disorders at Columbia University (NY), a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence. The emotional goal for the day was to channel the positive energy of car-culture toward a worthy cause benefiting those in need, during Thanksgiving’s weekend of gratitude.
Video stories to look forward to viewing will include:
- 1928 4.5-liter Bentley VDP Tourer
- 1946 Lancia Aprilla
- 1958 Jaguar XK150
- 1958 Porsche 356 A Outlaw
- 1962 Aston Martin DB4
- 1970 MG MGB
- 1971 Maserati Ghibli Spyder
- 1972 DeTomaso Pantera
- 1991 Honda Beat Convertible
‘Drive-In Chats’ and the day of ‘Conversations for a Cause’ was sponsored by CarCulture.TV, Hagerty, Maserati, Mothers Polish, AQUAhydrate and DuPont Motoring.
About Drive Toward a Cure:
Drive Toward a Cure raises funds and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease research and patient care. Inspired by the camaraderie found within the automotive culture, the organization’s mission benefits equally from both enthusiast communities and industry professionals. Drive Toward a Cure events harness enthusiasm for cars and driving and turn that power into support for ongoing work to improve the lives of those living with Parkinson’s, as well as the research that will hopefully one day lead to a cure.
Drive Toward a Cure is a 501(c)(3) non-profit supporting beneficiaries including The Michael J. Fox Foundation, The Parkinson’s Institute and Clinical Center and the Parkinson’s Foundation. For donations, sponsorship and event registration please visit www.drivetowardacure.org.
About Parkinson’s Disease
Affecting nearly one million Americans and 10 million worldwide, Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the United States. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone.
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