By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Coordinator
When Murray and Mindy Park wanted to take their rare 1960 Chrysler 300T to a car show on Sept. 20, they had many options. There were several cars shows in the area that day. In the end, the Parks decided to attend the Charity Vehicle Show hosted by the Harold J. Fraley Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge #128 in downtown Tiffin during the Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival. The car show, which was organized by Seneca County Sheriff’s Deputy Greg Smith, served as a fundraiser for this year’s Shop with a Cop.
“There were a bunch of car shows today, but we talked and decided that this was a good cause,” Murray said.
Murray’s father purchased a 1960 Chrysler 300T when Murray was a young boy, which they planned to restore it together, but that never happened. So about 12 years ago, Murray bought one for himself.
“I’ve wanted one since I was little,” he said. “It’s a rare, limited-production car.”
Across the parking lot, Tom Maiberger displayed his 1964 Volkswagen Panel Delivery Van painted to look like the original delivery van used at his family’s business, Tiffin Paper Company, now called TPC Food Service. The original van was eventually sold to a junk yard, and Maiberger bought it back and restored it.
“I rebuilt the motor, and then-Chief Deputy Jack Fredericks used it to do a drug bust,” Maiberger said. “He just pulled it up in front of the house. No one suspected anything.”
Maiberger kept the van a couple of years before selling it, but eventually, he wanted another one.
“It took about ten years to find this van,” he said at the Charity Vehicle Show. “I found this one in Colorado. It was owned by Nike and used as a promotional van for their Mojo golf balls.”
Dennis Snay brought his 2001 cherry red Corvette to the FOP car show. He purchased it after returning from serving in Afghanistan. Snay was a combat medic and petroleum specialist, and at the end of his military career, he served as an assistant chaplain.
“I was part of the final pullout,” he said. “I counseled about 200 marines, sailors and soldiers.”
One of the first things he did when he returned was buy the Corvette.
“I bought it five days after I came back from my last deployment,” he said. “It was an early retirement gift to myself. I have no buyer’s remorse. Next to God, this is my therapy.”
Several local leaders helped judge the car show, including Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick Stevens, Seneca County Commissioner Bill Frankart, Tiffin Mayor Lee Wilkinson, FOP member and Seneca County Sheriff’s Lt. Joe Cunningham, Tiffin Police Officer Chris Perry, Downtown Tiffin Main Street Manager Donna Gross, Heritage Festival Acting President Chad Kiser, and Heritage Festival Logistics & Volunteer Manager Nikki Distel. Deputy Smith was grateful that they volunteered their time, and he is thankful for everyone who helped or participated in the car show, including his wife, Detective Cassidy Smith, who helped him run the event.
The money raised at the car show will help purchase Christmas gifts for local children through the annual Shop with a Cop event. Donations are appreciated to help the FOP assist more children this Christmas. Any amount will help, and Sponsorship Badge Levels are available. Donors at the Platinum or Gold Badge levels can shop alongside a cop and a kid on Shop with a Cop day.
- Platinum Badge – Over $600
- Gold Badge – $600 (Supports three children)
- Silver Badge – $400 – (Supports two children)
- Copper Badge – $200 (Supports one child)
- Bronze Badge – Below $200
“One hundred percent of the donations stay in the county,” said Sergeant Charles Dell of the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, who serves as FOP Lodge #128 President.
Donations can be dropped off at the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office or at the Tiffin Police Department, or they can be mailed to: FOP Lodge #128, Attn: Badge Level, PO Box 285, Tiffin, OH 44883. Please include your name, address, phone number, and email.
