THUNDER BAY -- A 45-year-old Pontiac GTO Ram Air III that drew interest from as far away as Kuwait helped raise $57,000 for Camp Quality Northwestern Ontario.
The vehicle, donated by Thunder Bay’s Harvey Smith, was sold online to an anonymous U.S. bidder.
Camp Quality director Ashleigh Quarrell said Smith was looking for a charity involving children to donate the vehicle to, and through a mutual friend of car dealer George Badanai, they decided on Camp Quality.
“We certainly came to mind as one that was very supportive of children with cancer, so he was very happy to give it to us,” Quarell said on Monday.
Badanai, whose daughter Neave was diagnosed with cancer when she was two, leant his expertise with classic cars to help facilitate the online auction.
He said he learned Smith had a vehicle to donate and went to his house to see it.
Badanai said he had no idea what he’d find, although Smith is a noted collector of classic cars.
“I nearly fell over when I saw what it was,” Badanai said.
“It’s one of only 4,442 manufactured that year. It was made in Canada … It’s what’s called their survivor car. Other than the colour of the vehicle being repainted, it’s original and less than 19,000 miles on it. It’s a very rare car.”
He was happy to see how much money it fetched.
The car had been appraised at $50,000 for insurance purposes, but last-minute bidding late last week put them well over the top.
“It was such a generous gift for such a rare thing,” Badanai said. “It shows you the type of people we have in Thunder Bay and having a gentleman like Harvey come forward, it’s really a touching gift.”
Smith, in a release, said he chose Camp Quality because he’s got a soft sport in his heart for children with any disease.
“Cancer for any child and their family can be a very stressful event. I believe Camp Quality helps them cope with this stress through the great family support and programs they have developed. It’s organizations like this that make life a little better for all those going through the hardship of cancer.”
Camp Quality, which relies 100 per cent on donations, provides year-round programming for children with cancer and their siblings, including a signature week-long camping trip.
