Rocket racers

It’s an Augruso tradition to have a family member race in the annual George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation soap box competition.

The tradition started about eight years ago when Tal Augruso and his brothers built their first soap box. Many members of the family drove the car down Waverly Hill and two years ago Augruso granddaughter Michaella found her chance to get behind the wheel.

The 11-year-old racer participated again in the eighth annual George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation soap box competition Saturday. Augruso had to make a few adjustments before the race since Michaella had grown a bit.

It’s become a tradition for a member of the family to participate in the race because they see it as a chance to give back to the foundation, Augruso said.

"It’s the same car but we just modify it every year," Augruso said. "We have continued to race every year first to raise money for George Jeffrey’s and second to let the kids have fun. It’s our family charity. We had a nephew go through the foundation and it helped him a lot."

The adjustments paid off and Michaella zoomed down Waverly Hill with a time of 20.16 seconds. Michaella said all that’s going through her mind as she’s racing down the hill is trying to win.

"Racing is awesome," Michaella said. "You go down the hill and it’s really fast."

The racers weren’t the only ones to have fun.

Patricia Myllyniemi, 63, had her grandchildren had a front row seat for when the racers went down the hill. Usually, Myllyniemi misses the event because of other commitments but thankfully this year she was able to go, she said.

"I like to get the kids out and doing stuff," Myllyniemi said. "I take them to different places. Next weekend I’m going to take them to Benny Birch’s Birthday. I like to take them to different events."

Mary Anne Comuzzi, director of development for George Jeffrey’s Children Foundation, said she hoped the event would surpass last year’s amount of $25,000 and raise more than $30,000. The funds raised helps to purchase equipment and run the programs within the foundation, she said.

"The community sees the great work that’s being done at the centre," Comuzzi said. "We need these fundraisers and we need the funds to keep those programs and services going. The community sees what we’re doing and they get engaged."

The soap box competition wraps up on Sunday.