Car cruise continues Carmen’s legacy
Gary Carmen possessed a passion for cars as well as caring.
“He loved cars and he liked helping people,” said John Carberry of Bethel Park.
So, for the third year, the #Garystrong Memorial Car Cruise will incorporate Carmen’s characteristics. Featuring hundreds of classic and exotic cars as well as super cars and trucks, the event will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 27 at Highpoint Fitness, located at 1000 Higbee Drive in Bethel Park.
Admission is free for spectators but those wishing to show a vehicle are asked to donate $10. All proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Additionally there will be food trucks and outdoor activities for the whole family. A DJ will be on site providing music entertainment and the fitness center will host an open house featuring an open swim in the aquatics center.
Carberry, who is a co-owner of Highpoint Fitness, is also the co-organizer of the car cruise with Jim Gastgeb.
Carberry recalled meeting with Carmen to organize the inaugural car cruise in 2023. Carmen would later pass away that November at age 61, a victim of Sarcoma cancer.
“When we first met to discuss the cruise, Gary’s first comment was, ‘Let’s do some good,’ and that’s just how he was and why we wanted to do this.
“When his family told me about his diagnosis, and knowing he was a car guy, a lightbulb went off, and I said, ‘Let’s do this for Gary.'”
Carmen cared about the community and children.
A 1980 Bethel Park High School graduate, he worked with his father in the family business, Fred Carmen and Son Custom Home Builders, and took over as sole owner and operator of the business when his father died. A South Park resident, he spent time outside of work as a classic car enthusiast. In fact, he modified a yellow Ford with 1,000 horsepower that is featured in the cruise’s promotional flyer.
Above all, Carmen was a philanthropist.
He requested funds raised for the cruise to be donated to St. Jude, whose research has helped increase the childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago.
And while Sarcoma is a rare bone and soft tissue cancer that accounts for about 1% of adult cancer diagnoses, each year, between 10 and 20% of children are affected by Sarcoma.
“St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital was so near and dear to Gary’s heart,” Carberry said. “It’s so great to see the community come out to support his cause.
“We love seeing all of the cars and are so grateful for the local business and individuals and their donations to help make it such a successful event,” Carberry said. “We’re hoping to make it even more fun this year, with activities for families on site and more food options, so we hope the turnout will be our biggest one yet,” he said.