A 21-year-old North Bergen resident decided to have a car show not just to display Mustangs – the vehicles for which he has a passion – but to dedicate the funds to the memory of a friend who recently passed away from cancer.
Jonathan Morales started his club, NJStangers, online more than a year ago when he wanted to chat and go on cruise dates with fellow Mustang owners. At first there were only eight members, but over recent months, online membership has grown to over 900.
Mustang owners from Hudson, Sussex, and Essex counties, as well as New York, meet up to drive through Pennsylvania and talk about their vehicles, while the online website also serves as a sounding board for them.
“I was a big Mustang fan, and I wanted to get other Mustang fans together,” said Morales.
On one of those drives, on June 15, Morales met Greg Karakos from Sussex County.
Morales stayed in touch with the new members and soon learned that Karakos had brain cancer. He succumbed to the disease on July 3, a day before his 19th birthday.
“I only met him one time, because of the treatments,” said Morales. “He was very busy.”
Morales was so struck by Karakos and what he went through that he wanted to give something back to honor his memory, as did the rest of his club.
For charity
NJStangers’ first annual car show will be held at Downs Ford, located on Route 37 in Toms River, on Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The day will feature 150 Mustangs, peer judging, raffles, and food from Ben’s Extreme BBQ.
While Mustang fans will have a reason to attend just because of the cars that will be there, Morales said that main reason he is hosting the show is for Karakos.
“We wanted to have a car show just to donate to charity because it’s such a good cause,” said Morales.
All monies raised will be donated to the American Cancer Society.
“Just have a good time and support a good cause.” – Jonathan Morales
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Registration for interested Mustang owners will be $15.
Morales said that he received help organizing the show from a few members that had past experiences with car shows, but that there are always “creative snags” in organizing such an event.
Morales said he ran into an issue with financing the event because of the cost of car show insurance, but a members’ donation drive was started which helped pay for the event.
He said that Karakos’ parents approved of his idea to dedicate the show to their son. He hopes to honor them at the event.
Young Mustang owner
Morales, who will be a senior at Montclair University studying the management of information systems, said that he has owned a screaming yellow 2005 Mustang since March of 2006.
“When I was [attending St. Joseph’s High School of West New York] my dad made me a bet that if I got a scholarship to college, he would buy me a Mustang,” said Morales. “That was our bet. I’m going to Montclair for free, so I guess it worked out.”
He said that he always had a love for the vehicle because it is a “very beautiful car.” His dream Mustang would be a 1960s or 1970s model.
He currently is employed at the Nissan dealership in Ramsey, and manages the inventory of cars for their website.
His mother from Cuba and his father from Puerto Rico are proud of what he is doing with his Mustang.
“[My mom] would have never expected me to have done something so big,” said Morales.
Morale hopes that his efforts make an impact.
“Just have a good time and support a good cause,” said Morales.
For more information, visit www.NJStangers.com.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.