Dozens of tractors and operators turn up for local cancer fundraiser
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on September 27, 2015 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Elyza Price, 2, of Seven Springs enjoys her homemade ice cream on the steps of an antique barn with her family at the Eastern Carolina Tractor Ride fundraiser on Saturday in Mount Olive.
Full SizeMOUNT OLIVE -- Nearly 50 tractors both old and new that are normally called on for work to help feed the world were called on Saturday to, instead, help work toward a cure for cancer.
And almost as if in tribute to the Southeastern Cancer Care Cures for the Colors, the tractors represented a rainbow of green, blue, red and other colors.
For M.F. McCullen Jr., Saturday's Eastern Carolina Tractor Ride to raise funds for Cures for the Colors was not only a dream come true, but a way to pay forward the help his son, Chad, received from the organization.
The ride and barbecue plate sale were expected to raise approximately $10,000.
The 15-mile ride through rural Wayne and Duplin counties was followed by a barbecued turkey or pork dinner and a tour of McCullen Farms, including McCullen Antiques on N.C. 55 about six miles east of Mount Olive.
The route went out as far as Butterball and avoided the major roads like N.C. 55 and N.C. 111.
McCullen said he has wanted to put on a tractor ride for the past four or five years after seeing one in the western part of the state.
The ride has been in the planning process for the past four months, and McCullen said he was pleased with the response.
"It looks mighty good so far this morning to see all of these people out," he said. "We are expecting around 50 (tractors). I figured with as many tractors as there are around here, I didn't see why we couldn't do one here. (My son) had been sick, so I reckon we just saw that Cures for the Colors was working for people, and we decided to see if we couldn't help them raise some money.
"Duplin County and Wayne County (deputies) are going to escort us. We are going down Zion Church Road. The route is about 15 miles and will take about two hours."
Tractors, he said, don't get in a hurry, and rain doesn't stop them either.
"It just shows how the community and everybody I reckon you could say think of (my father)," Chad said. "It ain't about me. It is his dream. Whenever they wanted a tractor ride, he wanted to know who to do it for."
For Chad, 42, the answer was obvious.
"It is amazing how it has come about even on an ugly day like this and we have so many people," he said. "I probably know about half of them, and the other half I don't know. But a bunch of these are neighbors or people we have dealt with businesswise. It has been amazing the support that we have had.
"Cures for Colors, Dr. (James) Adkins started it to keep the money in the community to help the people in the community. He does a lot for you like doctor's visits, to help you with them, things like that. It helps a lot when you are going through things like that. It is amazing when (my father) first started talking about it, I didn't ever think it would turn out as big as it has, but once word starts getting around, people just start pouring in."
Pigs were being barbecued under a large shelter, and a table was set up where the food would be served.
Over in a large building, tables were set up for people to eat while listening to Harvest Time perform.
Across from the barn, several old stores filled with antiques were open for people to tour.
Volunteers included staff from Adkins' office.
"Considering the rain, the drizzle, I think it is wonderful that they would still be determined to come," said Faye McCullen, wife of M.F. McCullen. "Some might have changed to a cab tractor instead of their old one, but that is all right, too.
"Community needs to get together more, but not always for causes like this -- just get together."
McCullen, his three sons and a grandson all drove John Deeres in the ride.
Tray and Nicole Bridgers of Newton Grove and their children, Nathan 2, and Layla, 4, drove over from Newton Grove after a friend told them about the event.
Bridgers was driving a 1950 Farmall Cub. His family rode on a trailer pulled behind the tractor.
"It is for a good cause," he said. "I am a first-timer. It is a good cause, and it sounded like fun. The kids are going to have a good time. I wish the weather was better, but we will deal with it"
John Hargrove of Mount Olive was busy placing a plastic bag over the seat of his 1949 John Deere B as the drizzle got heavier.
"I know him (McCullen) and whenever I heard about it, I knew I would like to participate in it for the benefit for which it's for," Hargrove said. "It is a very worthy cause. I have known them about all of my life, and we won't talk about how old I am.
"It (tractor) is very special for me. I have had it now for a few years and know a little bit about the history of it. It is very important."
Wayne County Commissioner Wayne Aycock, a cancer survivor, came all of the way from the Nahunta community to ride in the event.
"This is a great cause that this is being put on for," he said. "M.F. and Mrs. Faye have had cancer in their family. I am also a cancer survivor so I felt like it was nothing but just appropriate for me to be here. This is all about the cause and the turnout here today, you have got every color tractor that has ever been made probably here today.
"I just think this speaks highly of what M.F. and Mrs. Faye do for this community and this county. This is a great occasion. I am driving a 550 Oliver, one that my dad sold when he was in business in 1964. I bought it, restored it and got it back. Normally it doesn't get wet, but like I said this is a good cause."
Aycock said he has known the McCullens for a long time and has family in the Seven Springs area as well.
Ralph McKeel, and members of the Eastern North Carolina Vintage Farm Equipment Club, helped out with the ride.
"It's wet and soggy," McKeel said. "But we have had a good turnout. We have a lot of tractors and a lot of different tractors represented here. Of course it is for Cures for the Colors ultimately. Considering the weather I believe we've got a durn good turnout and everything is working along pretty good."