» R A C T IC A L C H R IS T IA N IT Y
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1,000 points get free custom work done on their cars. Ones with 1,500 - more free work on their cars. The Cruise-Aiders wear bright red alhletic jackets with black trim, dis playing the Cruise-Aider emblem on front and back. An elaborate metal plaque with their club name sits in the back window of their beloved cars. In the metal is molded the out line of a roadster with a shield broad- side in the middle. On the shield are the Greek letters “ Sigma” and “ Phi,” standing for “ Service” and “ Friend ship.” Over the roadster is a banner carrying the words, “ Crusader.” Each year the club has an out-of- town breakfast, goes on camping and boating trips, and attends car shows. A current project is to furnish each car with an “ auto-medic” kit which includes a fire extinguisher, gasoline can, a few wrenches, and tire tools, flares, battery booster cables, tow line, and flashlight. T h e mo s t r e c e n t l y completed project was the building of an 18’ 6” speed boat. Under the supervision of Jim Komeff, a Captain in the Los An geles County Fire Department, and the sponsors, the boys built a “ Hot rod” from stem to stem and powered it with a 305 horsepower engine. The cost of the boat to the club was $2200.00, and it now has a retail value of $4300.00. “The boat,” says Bill Halopoff, “ has already given the club a real boost. It helps draw new members and pro vides terrific water skiing and boating recreation on our camping trips.” Funds to pay for the boat are being raised in a unique manner. The mem bers have developed a soap formula that they now manufacture and dis tribute to auto garages and industrial firms. Crusader Hand Cleaner removes grease, paint, tar, and all other dirt without the use of water. It is a cream that liquifies when rubbed on the hands and wipes off clean with a paper towel or cloth. Crusader Hand Cleaner can be obtained through The Hally Company, 3515 So. Greenwood, Montebello, California, RA 3-4508. Jim and Bill keep club spirit high
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by arranging special meetings. One day they invited Officer Ward of the California Highway Patrol to lecture to the “ car hounds” on safety mea sures of all types and how to use emer gency equipment. The Cruise-Aiders “ pumped” the officer with questions for two hours and a half, delighting to question a “ cop” about items of the law they wanted cleared up. Except for their winsome ways and pleasant manner the Russian high waymen look mean when they step out of their cars. Most are tall, broad shouldered fellows, built for athletics. They have rules about putting motor ists at ease about their motives: 1) al ways park in front of a stalled car, 2) only one may get out at a time, and 3) always carry the white card in your hand, and 4) the Crusader insig nia must be displayed in full view on the rear of the car. Allan Komeff, president, is a husky 185 pound all league football player from Downey High School. Vice-Pres ident is Bill Vikunoff, an outstanding club leader. Dave Slevcove, a Sunday School teacher, is the secretary and is a student at the East Los Angeles Junior College. Treasurer is Jack Rud- ometkin, a high school student major ing in auto mechanics. Club meetings convene on Monday evenings fortnightly. Each session is opened by prayer, and ways are sought to increase the effectiveness of their highway witness. Safe driving is emphasized through movies and dis cussion. The Cruise-Aiders are plan ning to prepare a tract to leave with people they meet. It will say some thing like this, “ It was a privilege to help you on the road today. Enclosed
is a message that will help you when you get into trouble on life’s road. Heeding it you will go safely to your Destination.” In the wake of the Crusaders’ exam ple, many other organizations have written asking for help in organizing a similar club. Inquiries have come from churches, the Boy Scouts, the YMCA, the American Legion, and some schools. To answer those re quests, Jim and his men are preparing a literature kit with pictures to show others what they are doing and how a car club can be formed for the glory of the Lord. Driving into town one night recent ly a Cmsader flicked on his car radio and listened to a disc jockey phoning around town getting comments from Southern California citizens. He heard one lady, on the telephone, say, “ There’s too much written about ju venile delinquency. I want to tell you about the Crusaders . . . their sole purpose is to help others in need on the highway. They helped me when my car broke down recently.” The disc jockey was overwhelmed and the Crusader, riding along the freeway, felt good inside. It was his way of living for the Lord, he thought. Slevcove says, “ The Crusader enjoys his Christian life because it is effec tive, real, and practical to him. By giving the simple word that he is in a Christian car club, by providing phys ical help with his hands and strong back, and by leaving a tract, he finds a way to live for the Lord he loves.” “ The ideals behind your club,” wrote - a Whittier resident, “ could change the entire world if carried far enough.” END.
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