Tractor ride event raises money for Cures for the Colors
By Joey Pitchford
Published in News on September 25, 2016 1:45 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Raylin Jones, 2, sits on his grandfather Robin Jones' 1941 John Deere 40 before the Eastern Carolina Tractor Ride fundraiser Saturday. Raylin calls tractors putt putt and talks about them so much that Putt Putt is now his nickname.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
MOUNT OLIVE -- Friends and families gathered at the M.F. McCullen Jr. farm at 2616 N.C. 55 East Saturday morning for the second annual Eastern Carolina Tractor Ride, in support of the Cures for the Colors.
Hosted by the McCullen family in partnership with other families and friends, the ride brought together more than 50 tractor drivers and a large group of riders and spectators to help raise money for Cures for the Colors, an organization that provides financial assistance to cancer patients in eastern North Carolina during their treatment and recovery.
The event was scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., but tractor drivers began lining their machines up well in advance. Deanna McCullen, who helped organize the event, said she didn't know yet know how many people had arrived but was hoping for a big crowd.
"Last year was the first one we had, and we had around 300 people and raised $17,000," she said. "We're hoping to double the number of people, and I don't know if we'll double the money, but we'd definitely like to double it."
The ride originated after the M.F. McCullen's youngest son, Chad McCullen, was diagnosed with cancer at age 39.
The elder McCullen decided that a tractor ride would be a good way to raise money for Cures for the Colors, which was one of the organizations which contributed to his son's eventual recovery.
Even though Chad McCullen's cancer was gone by the time the rides began, they have gone on in support of other cancer patients anyway.
Wilson Stevens, one of the tractor drivers, hung six pink ribbons from his tractor to honor his loved ones who had passed away. Phyllis Stevens, his wife, Barbara Grice, his sister, J.D. Fields, his brother-in-law, and childhood friends Gary Thornton, Buddy Talton and Donny Capps were all represented on his machine.
Cullen Wells, another driver, road in memory of his grandfather who died of cancer. He said he was a member of the same church as M.F. McCullen, and thought the ride was for a good cause.
"I'm just looking forward to meeting new people, talking to new people," he said.
Around 10 a.m., the riders were ready to head out. With tractors ranging from small, one-seater machines to towering, tank-like vehicles, the riders lined up behind a law enforcement escort and began their trek. Their path would take them on a 15-mile path through parts of the Wayne and Duplin County countryside, before returning back to the farm for barbecue and live music.
Drivers had to pay $50 to take part in the ride, while passengers on the many trailers paid $25. Ms. McCullen said that the large amount of community involvement meant that the majority of proceeds could go to Cures for the Colors.
"Almost everything has been donated," she said.
"The hogs and turkeys were donated, and we have a lot of volunteers, so we have very few costs."