5th Annual Cruisin To A Cure For ALS Happens May 2

The event has raised over $100,000 over the past four years.

File photo.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - While most college students are in school preparing for final exams, whether in person or through online courses, one local Purdue student from Lawrenceburg, Indiana is soon preparing to turn back towards home. Logan Lawrence, a 2018 graduate of Lawrenceburg High School and current Purdue University junior engineering student has hosted an annual car show in Lawrenceburg, Indiana since 2017 honoring of his late grandfather, Carlos Lawrence, who battled and died of ALS. This year, the fifth annual Cruisin’ to a Cure for ALS car show is scheduled for Sunday, May 2nd 9 – 4 p.m. in downtown Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

It was when Logan was eight years old when his grandfather, Carlos Lawrence, a business owner and a big influence in Logan’s life, began experiencing startling health concerns. Difficulty in sleeping and breathing were just two of the initial symptoms. After a physician’s examination, evaluation and recommended diagnostic testing, Carlos Lawrence was diagnosed with ALS. ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is an incurable, progressive disease that attacks the nervous system and affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Often the disease starts with stiffness in hands, feet and legs, difficulty swallowing, twitching and slurred speech. Eventually, paralysis of the muscles of the limbs and trunk are noticed, and the loss of control of vital functions such as speech, swallowing, and breathing are compromised.

Carlos gradually lost his ability to speak, experienced trouble walking and like evidence proved, lost his ability to breathe on his own. He was admitted the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and later moved to the Drake Center, where he was placed on a ventilator. Logan visited his grandpa every day and the two communicated to each other by writing back and forth on a dry erase board. At 67, Carlos Lawrence passed away, just one year after being diagnosed.

In early 2017, Logan, the third generation National Hot Rod Association racer at Edgewater Sports Park made his initial plans to host his first car show in honor of his grandfather. Logan set goals, one to raise $10,000 for ALS research and another goal to have 200 cars at the event. The day of the show, 425 classic car owners traveled from all across the country, lining up at the entrance gate to support the young student and his cause. Logan was delighted to later present the Indiana ALS Association with a $15,000 check. In the years following, he has exceeded his goals every year as it continues to grow with the help of nearly 80 volunteers and hundreds of show entries, and with his contribution for ALS research, which now totals more than $100,000.

If being a 21 year old college student, who is not only carrying a 3.5 GPA, is a College Mentor for Kids and a math tutor, was not enough to handle, hosting a huge car show within the streets of downtown Lawrenceburg has tested his determination. Logan has worked diligently with the City of Lawrenceburg and other necessary entities to review logistics to allow the event to flow as smooth as possible.

Currently there have been more than 150 car show registrations, only just a fraction of those who plan to showcase their vehicles. Registrations will be taken the day of the show on Sunday, May 2nd until 12:00 p.m. for a cost of $20.00 with awards announced at 4 p.m at the Civic Park stage. Logan has fielded calls from all across the United States as car enthusiasts who partake in summer car shows are looking forward to the first weekend in May to kick off their summers with the event to be held on Walnut and High Streets in Lawrenceburg. The show is also open to spectators for free but a freewill donation is highly encouraged.

The 2021 awards include: Best of Show award of $500, Top 25 Modern trophies (1991 and newer), Top 50 Classic (1990 and older), and $200.00 for the farthest distance traveled. There are also categories for motorcycles, specialty categories, and race cars. Plans for the day also include a morning church service at Zion Church at 10:30, children’s activities, DJ Ray dowers, show choir performances, live music at the Civic Park, food stands, door prizes, t-shirt sales and more.

Now more than ever, support for those diagnosed and their families is needed. One hundred percent of the funds raised through the Cruisin’ to a Cure for ALS Car Show will be put towards research, advancement in medicines and supporting those affected. ALS scientists are making strides with understanding ALS and finding a cure but for the estimated 20,000 people in the United States currently living with ALS, time is a big factor. Life expectancy is just 2-5 years. Logan Lawrence knows all too well of what families are going through. “My grandpa meant a lot to me and to our whole family, and now I continue to honor him and others who are diagnosed with ALS with this annual car show until we can find a cure.”

Donations for ALS research are appreciated. Logan looks forward to seeing everyone there and extends a big thank you to Keen Parts, Lawrence Motorsports, Eagle 99.3 Radio, Civista Bank, American Mortgage, 4 Speed on 50, and NiteOut Transportation for being the main event sponsors. A big thank you to the City of Lawrenceburg, Mayor Kelly Mollaun, city council, and all employees within the city for making this event possible year after year to benefit ALS and bring a huge economic impact to our community. For more information regarding ALS for support and resources, visit www.alsa.org.