Article in the London OH paper about a benefit for ALS

Article features my sissy!!

Cruise-in for a cause
Thursday, August 14, 2008
By Brian McKinneyStaff Writer

Sometimes when you are trying to make a difference, it helps to know the right people.
For Liz Blakeslee, that right person is Les Takacs of Takacs Family Ice Cream.
Blakeslee lost her father and longtime Takacs friend Jim in 2005 to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Soon after her father’s death, Liz wanted to help spread the word about ALS and give back to the ALS Association, which had helped her family during her father’s decline.
“Last year we decided to throw something together,” Blakeslee said. “They (the Takacs’) had asked if we were interested in doing something to raise money for ALS.”
The idea the pair carried out was a “Cruise-In to Help Defeat ALS.” Takacs hosts several classic car cruise-ins throughout the summer at his West High Street ice cream stand, so why not just designate one to benefit a good cause?
“We just do this in memory and honor of my dad,” Blakeslee said. “Dad called (ALS) an orphan disease, because it doesn’t get a lot of the funding other diseases get.”
The idea was a success. By way of a raffle that gave away Ohio State football tickets and several restaurant gift certificates, the Aug. 25 event raised close to $2,000. Naturally, the event will be held again this year Sunday, Aug. 24.
As opposed to how other car shows operate, Blakeslee and Takacs keep their cruise-in as informal as possible. Like last year, there will be no registration, no fees and no trophies awarded. The sole purpose is to come together for a good cause.
“We keep it informal, and that is the way dad would like it, because he was a pretty informal guy,” Blakeslee said.
This year’s cruise-in will feature much of the same items up for auctions this year. So far, they have secured more tickets to see Jim’s beloved Buckeyes and gift certificates from the Red Brick Tavern, Ann and Tony’s and art donated by local artist Kim Lattimer, to name a few. Takacs’ son Matthew will provide some of his homemade glass beads for auction as well.
When Blakeslee informed Takacs that she wasn’t aware that Ann and Tony’s Restaurant donated, he coyly replied, “We’re doing that one.”
Takacs involvement with Blakeslee’s cause is just one example of his generosity. Whenever there is a friend in need, he does what he can to help.
Last year, he held an event for a local boy, David Cave, who passed away as a result of Cystic Fibrosis. He also held a fund-raiser for Andy Borders, who was wounded in Iraq.
“People turn out for this kind of stuff, that is the nice part about it,” Takacs said.
Not only is the Blakeslee family lucky to have friends like Takacs, Liz also explained how lucky they are to have a community like London.
“I think London is a very generous community,” Blakeslee said.
Raffle tickets for the event are $1 each and participants can purchase six for $5.
For anyone who cannot attend the cruise-in Aug. 24, another opportunity to help the ALS cause is right around the corner. Blakeslee and Takacs also participate in the ALS Association’s Walk to Defeat ALS held at the OSU Campus-Fred Beekman Park in Columbus on Sept. 28.