While racers put their vehicles on display frequently, it’s not every day that a display transforms a race truck into a signature truck. Last June Rick Verberne took his race truck to a display at the Children’s Health Foundation’s Teddy Bear Picnic and now a year later has turned his truck into a fundraising vehicle.
“My wife and I went together, it was a humbling experience,” explained Verberne at Saturday’s practice day. “It made us realize how lucky we are to have a healthy child. It made us really want to do something to give back.”
Verberne made the decision, working with the Children’s Health Foundation, to bring back a classic fundraising program: the Signature Truck which had previously been run by his cousin Brian. Brian Verberne drove that signature truck to a championship in 2002.
Fans will be able to put their signature on Verberne’s truck for a minimum $2 donation to the Children’s Health Foundation with the proceeds benefiting the Thames Valley Children’s Centre. The Thames Valley Children’s Centre (TVCC) works to support children and their families to achieve the highest possible quality of life.
The signature truck would not be possible without the support of the sponsors of the #88 truck: McRobert Fuels, Carquest Mckenzie Auto Parts, RA Watters Graphics, Lawn Man, Travellers Equipment Finance, Canadian Linen, Yarmie Electric, Dennis & Wanda Walter, Speedy Electric, Inventory Express, Toms Auto Body, London Drive Systems, and Otterville Motors.
The first chance to sign the signature truck will be at this Friday’s ISMA Super Modified Season Opener: The Harvey Lennox Memorial. Verberne will have the truck on display on the spectator hill and hopes to see lots of signatures on the truck for the division’s opening day on Friday, May 29 at 7:30 pm.
