Be-Bop Cruisers car club
revs up for fun, charity
BY LINDA DeNICOLA
Staff Writer
Jill and Steve Infanti were joined on their wedding day by their friends from the Be-Bop Cruisers of Freehold, who brought some classic cars to spice up the ceremony at the historic Allaire church in Wall Township.
When Jill and Steve Infanti got married on Oct. 18, they were followed to church by a brigade of vintage cars, including two 1960 Chevrolet Impalas; two Pontiacs, a 1959 and a 1958 Chieftain; a 1970 Chevelle convertible; and a 1964 Fastback Mustang.
The Infantis, of Jackson, belong to Freehold’s Be-Bop Cruisers so Jill dubbed herself the Be-Boppin’ Bride. She said she was very pleased that many members of the club volunteered to drive their classic cars to her wedding at the historic Allaire church in Wall Township.
"They came with their cars and their shirts that say Be-Bop Cruisers. They took the time out of their day and formed a brigade from my house in Jackson to the church and then to the reception in Point Pleasant," Infanti said.
Phyllis and James Celano brought their white convertible and their daughter, Jennifer, 21, brought her baby blue hardtop.
"My daughter grew up with the cars, and when she turned 18, she bought her own car," said Phyllis, who is president of the Be-Bop Cruisers.
"We owned that car many years ago when she was in kindergarten. She spent many years watching my husband while he was redoing the car. In fact, on her first day of kindergarten we took her in that car.
"Then when she was around 15, we sold the car. She was so upset. Two years later, the person we sold the car to wanted to sell the car, but he was asking too much for it. She was 17 at the time, Six months later he came down in price and Jennifer bought it," Celano said.
The Be-Bop Cruisers are a nonprofit organization that runs local cruise nights for the enjoyment of the public as well as to raise money for local causes such as the Child Assault Prevention project (CAP).
"We’ve been donating to that since 1997 and have donated over $40,000. We do a big show every year in July. We charge an admission for each [old] car to get in, anywhere between $15 and $20. We also have an auction and a raffle. This year it was at Freehold Raceway and it will be at the track again next July 11," Celano said.
The club has about 100 members; many of them are families, husbands and wives, and their grown children. Celano said the oldest car is a 1935 milk truck owned by Jim Harbstreet, who has about 12 cars.
"He’s working on a 1947 Ford," she added.
The Infantis own a 1952 Packard that they purchased about a year ago.
"You have to own a car older than 20 or 30 years to be in the club," Jill said. "Being a part of the club is fun, but it is also rewarding because the club raises money for charities. It’s fun to have people come and see the cars during cruise nights. We get the older couples who come up to us to say they owned this car or that car at one time. This club seems so devoted to helping the needy. They are always looking for new charities to give to. People donate things and the club members make baskets."
Phyllis Celano, who lives in Freehold Township, said the club was honored several years ago by then-Gov. Christie Whitman at a luncheon in recognition of its fund-raising efforts on behalf of CAP.
The cruise events are not the only way the Be-Bop Cruisers help the needy.
"During the course of the year we do food collections for families that we hear about through word of mouth. If we have enough available funds, we sometimes give them cash," Celano said. "We are nonprofit and any money that we take in, we give away. We only participate in events that are giving to charity."
For additional information, contact Phyllis Celano at (732) 303-7187.