Having canceled its spring auction party and fall golf outing fundraisers this year, Clothing Our Kids planned Kruisin’ for Kids, a fun event with built-in social distancing.

A motorcade of 20 creatively decorated cars, many with convertible tops, paraded through the Peninsula community Sept. 27.

While wearing masks adorned with the Clothing Our Kids logo, all entrants were equipped with butterfly nets to collect donations from a social distance as they processed through the neighborhood.

Organizers said they were pleasantly surprised by the many motorized gems that had been hidden in garages and the imaginative ideas of the participants. Neighbors were encouraged to come out along the parade route and share in the fun while supporting the cause.

After the parade, a tailgate party was held  and judges announced the results. First place went to Joe Saunders wearing a panda bear suit with loads of children’s toys in his cart. With their nod to the Kentucky Derby, John and Delynn Mehrlander took second place. Third place went to Leah Jaffee and crew, depicting characters from “The Wizard of Oz.”

Cars were parked in alternating parking spaces and attendees consumed refreshments in or near their cars. DJ Glenn spun tunes and several items were offered for raffle. The final tally was more than $8,000 raised.

Those who were unable to share in the fun may donate by mailing a check to Clothing Our Kids, 26582 John J. Williams Highway, Suite 2, Millsboro, DE 19966 or going to clothingourkids.org.

Clothing Our Kids is a nonprofit with the mission to improve the lives of at-risk elementary school children by providing them with appropriate school clothing. To date, COK has provided 137,799 items of school clothing to nearly 25,500 kids.