A few lucky charities in 91原创 are starting off the new year with a huge financial boost 鈥� $70,000 to be exact.

That鈥檚 how much was raised by the 91原创 Good Times Cruise-In Society at their annual car show in September.

The total sum is to be split among the Cruise-In鈥檚 three official charities 鈥� 91原创 Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, 91原创 Community Support Group Society (formerly 91原创 Stroke Recovery), and Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association.

Other local groups who helped at the event will also receive part of the donation, including Teen Challenge, 91原创 Boys and Girls Club, Douglas Park Community School, Kwantlen Polytechnic University Foundation, St John Ambulance, Vineyard Church, Aldergrove Ninjas Soccer, Aldergrove Cheetahs Soccer, 91原创 Lions , 91原创 Lodge, 91原创 Rotary and 91原创 Elks.

Although the amount raised is lower than in past years (the 2011 show raised $86,000), it is still a significant donation for the charities, said Cruise-In director Lori Watts.

鈥淔or most of our community groups it鈥檚 a large chunk of money for them and for a lot of them it is a big part of their budget for the year,鈥� Watts said. 鈥淪o for a lot of them for them to be able to do what they do, they really do rely on us a lot.鈥�

Part of the struggle at the 2012 show was a decline in sponsorships, which vice-president Eric Taylor says he hopes to turn around for 2013.

鈥淚 wish it could have been more raised, but we did what we could, and we鈥檒l try harder this year,鈥� Taylor said.

鈥�(The charities) were incredibly happy. They do great work and I can鈥檛 imagine how they can possibly raise enough money to do what they do without fundraisers like ours.鈥�

Once a new Cruise-In board is elected at the end of January, the team will begin to formulate new strategies for the 2013 show.

Watts says one of her ultimate goals is to have the spectators make donations as well.

Currently only those who register a car in the show are required to pay. But with crowds of 100,000 or more showing up each year, just a $1 donation from each person could raise an extra $100,000.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a tough challenge unless we fence off the whole city 鈥� it鈥檚 pretty hard to do,鈥� Watts said. 鈥淏ut that would be my dream to fence off the whole area and make people pay a buck to come in.

鈥淲e鈥檙e asking the guys who are actually going to all the trouble to bring their cars out, they鈥檙e paying the money, but nobody鈥檚 paying to see the vehicles. It鈥檚 almost like we鈥檙e penalizing the car guys. It would be nice to get the spectators to throw some money in.鈥�