Monroeville car cruise benefits new charity each month

Car cruises are a staple of summertime in Southwestern Pennsylvania. From antique roadsters to ’60s muscle cars to giant lifted trucks, it’s not odd to pass a field with several hundred freshly washed rides on display.

At Papa Rocks Pizza Pub in Monroeville, the cruises have been going for more than a decade, with organizers donating the proceeds to a wide variety of charities over the years.

“Last year, we donated to the Rustic Ridge families, to a local woman fighting breast cancer, the Pitcairn food pantry and several others,” said Carissa Catullo, a server at Papa Rocks. “We have outdoor grilling, live entertainment, people can socialize; it’s great.”

Each cruise benefits a different charitable cause.

This year, the opening-­season cruise on May 5 will benefit the Jeannette Fire Survivors Fund.

Tyler J. King and four of his children were killed in a March 20 fire on Guy Street in Jeannette, and a neighboring home was badly damaged. In the weeks following the fire, there has been an outpouring of support for those affected.

In addition to proceeds from entrants in the cruise, the Papa Rocks staff also holds a 50-50 raffle, and last year added a raffle basket to the event.

For those who can’t make the cruise, the Papa Rocks bar also has a “swear jar.”

“It changes each month with the charity that the cruise will benefit,” Catullo said.

Proceeds from the June 9 cruise will go toward funding a new playground at Trafford Elementary School.

Catullo said she’s looking forward to cruise season.

“I love being outside and manning the grill table where we sell food, T-shirts and take donations,” she said. “Everybody likes to congregate there, and it’s a lot of fun.”

The May 5 cruise will be from noon to 4 p.m. in the parking lot outside Papa Rocks, 4512 Broadway Blvd., Monroeville. For more information, visit PapaRocks.com.