HUMBOLDT 鈥� A visitor from Edmonton is letting Humboldt residents ride his dream car 鈥� a 2015 Lamborghini Huracan V10 鈥� to raise money for kids fighting cancer.
Oren Zamir, who is in Humboldt for business, is taking part in Horsepower for Hope, a show and shine and family activity day that raises money for the Kids with Cancer Society.
He鈥檚 asking anybody that wants to ride in his car to make a聽. Donations above $15 will receive a tax receipt. He will be at the Humboldt Tim Hortons on Aug. 20 until 9:30 p.m. He can also be reached at [email protected].
鈥淚'm very privileged to be able to participate and share my passion for cars with people,鈥� he said.
鈥淲hen you have a win-win situation I think you should always pursue it. I love driving, I enjoy seeing the smiles of the people that get driven in my car, and they donate for a good cause that can go a long way for the kids that need it.鈥�
Zamir got involved three years ago with an event called Racing for a Cure, which saw streets in downtown Edmonton closed as children received rides in exotic cars.
鈥淭he first year I did it was solely because I thought it was so cool to race downtown,鈥� he said.
Then the game changer came when a certain person rode in his car.
鈥淚 was thanking her,鈥� Zamir said. 鈥淪he was so grateful and I started seeing her tear up when we talked, and then she opened up to me and said, 鈥榥o, I'm not just a passenger. I'm so grateful because what you guys are doing is the best three days of my kid's life.鈥欌��
The passenger was a mother to a child with cancer. She explained that she had three children, with two of them healthy. The healthy children couldn鈥檛 quite understand why the child with cancer was getting more attention.
She told Zamir that all three of her kids got to ride in supercars and get treated as celebrities. The money raised from the event also allowed the kids to go to camp, which gave her three days off.
鈥淚t just touched me so much and I was like, 鈥榤a鈥檃m,聽 I'm so grateful that you came in my car, because you know what? It鈥檚 not often I get to ride my car, which I love, and do it for such a good cause. I'm gonna commit to support this for as long as I can.鈥欌��
The next year, 2018, Zamir鈥檚 wife got involved and took out one of their cars. In 2019, Zamir said he was able to be at home more, so he committed to raising more money for the event. He raised just shy of $15,000.
This year, Zamir started later due to the pandemic. As of Aug. 20, he鈥檚 raised more than $7,200.
He said the Kids with Cancer Society is seeing fewer sponsorships from businesses.
鈥淚 think, especially this year, Horsepower for Hope is more important than ever,鈥� he said.
Kids with Cancer operates a home right beside the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton, that provides housing, a quiet place for parents, a playroom for children and access to psychologists to support families. They also provide financial aid and aid packages.
鈥淚've been seeing the people for a few years and it's truly heartwarming how hard they work at what they do,鈥� Zamir said.
Each participant in Horsepower for Hope is assigned a child going through cancer to represent their time. Zamir鈥檚 on Team Haley. Due to the pandemic, the kids can鈥檛 ride along this year.
鈥淛ust the concept of showing respect to these little warriors that go out there and fight battles that none of us would even imagine,鈥� he said.
Zamir asked people to consider donating to Horsepower for Hope and the Kids with Cancer Society, even if they aren鈥檛 going for a ride.
