Project "End The Violence"

[MattyDVR6]

On July 30th, my best friend Darren Kretchmar was murdered because the kid he was hanging out with was wearing a red t-shirt. A Sureno gang member though they were both Norteno gang members and shot both of them at point blank in the head. Another young man (18) was shot in the back but lived. All 3 were normal suburban kids hanging out drinkin' 40's in a crowded family park at 6:30 PM IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.

Daniel Ruiz sits in jail right now awaiting trial for the murder of my best friend Darren Kretchmar (21) and David Gregory (18). We had been best friends since the 5th, a little over 11 years. We did everything together, including the passion for VWs. Among the things Darren's parents gave to me was his 1984 Rabbit GTI. Darren had recently killed the wimpy 1.8l and the car was off the road. The night before his funeral several NorCal forum members helped me swap in a new motor. Even Tim Tomas of Tomas Sport Tuning came over and helped get everything running right. At the funeral the car was parked out front, and everyone was encouraged to write messages on the car.

Sucks this is how i got my first Rabbit, but i'm going to make the most of it. I have big plans. I NEED EVERYONE'S HELP FROM THE VORTEX!!
So here's my plan. A cross counrty road trip called the "End The Violence Rally" I plan on driving Darren's Rabbit accross the country and showing the car at Waterfest 12 on July 15th, and have the car back home on July 30th for the 1 year anniversary of his passing. I want to have a GTG at every stop along the way. I want THE NATION to see this car and what it represents. I will also be carrying large poster boards for people to leave messages. I will also have a box for donations. At the end of the trip i will make the donation to a charity that deals with ending violence in our streets on behalf of the Volkswagen Community.

Here's the pics..

Rest in Peace Darren Jay Kretchmar Vortex SN: dboi510

So if you know of a good organizationt to donate too, please PM me. If you want to organize a GTG in your area i'll try and stop there sometime this summer please PM me. If you think you can put up me and a few other Dubbers for a night, please PM me. If you have any suggestions about the trip or wanna help out please PM me.

Lets get the Vortex together for a good cause!


Modified by MattyDVR6 at 11:13 PM 12-9-2005

[UglyBastid]

Sorry to hear about your friend. You should get a large sticker for the back window that says: "In Memory of Darren Jay Kretchmar"
That way when people see you driving they don't think it's just a bunch of writing on a rabbit. I like your idea, it sounds like fun. Good luck with it.

[killerbunny84]

I'm really not sure what to say ..It is awesome what you are doing .The reason behind it is very sad.If you find a good organization I'm sure a bunch of my fellow Canadian dubbers might be able to help you out ( we caravan to waterfest every year)
Anyways Props to you!!!!!! Keep this thread up!

[-teknien-]

dude count me in....

[be158]

.


Modified by be158 at 2:49 PM 3-6-2009

[Digital K]

if you come through mn I can try to set something up

[MattyDVR6]

any suggestions on a loop i should make??

[eurowner]

I am sorry.

Try to see if your timeline fits in with Dubs Along The Rockies and The Peoples Ralley http://www.therallye.com/

[robbf23]

STOP THE VIOLENCE!

i got your back matt.. let me know if you need any web help or something. darren was a cool dude.

[urogolf]

i'll see you in july mang

[Scott]

I do not know when you are leaving, but Dubs Along the Rockies is June 26th in Colorado Springs and I would love to try and do something special for you and your effort to memorialize your best friend.

Your hotel room here is covered by the way, just let me know if we can work it out.

[CasaDelShawn]

I don't have $$$ to donate, but I have some time and a boatload of parts. If you need anything semi-local, let me know.

Darren's loss left a hole in me, too.

[scvwguy]

If you're going through C-bus, Oh, (its on I-70) you got a place to stay. A friend of mine was killed in an argument over who's car stereo was better. He was joking around, they .. were not. Isht is crazy. Sorry for your loss.

[ratdub]

sorry for your loss...lmk what i can do on the right coast...

[joebeRt]

im sorry to hear about your friend, i just came here to check out some rabbits but i have to stop here. i dont drive a rabbit but a scirocco, if u plan on driving thru illinois at all please email me at scirocnutz@hotmail.com id be glad to donate time, money or at least hook u up with a meal and a cold beverage. could always just hang out for a lil while talkin vdubs. which ever u descide i hope to see pics of your trip, good luck on your journy.

joe~

[Killah Cabby]

Sorry for your loss.

for the rally and I'd gladly give your cause a donation.

[Trev0rBr]

i am big on pacifism. and this is something that i find great, i wish that everyone could see this rabbit. i am planning on going to water fest, definetly wanna check this out.

[K9jetta]

what a fantastic way to honor a fallen friend

as far as suggestions for worthy charities I might suggest finding one that deals directly with the cause of the tragedy, educating youth to stay out of gangs; or perhaps one that assists ex-gang members, or those wishing to leave a gang, with assimilating into public life (tattoo removal, counseling, job training, etc.)

wish i could caravan with you

[smallblockfox]

Sorry for your loss dude. If you pass through Spokane, Wa (Eastern Washington) lemme know. You got a place to stay, and a donation. Just hit me up-

L88R-

Levi

[Rukh]

I second you stopping through CO, we have a strong VW community and would welcome you with open arms.

[A1DUB]

sorry for your loss, i know how it feels. If you come to BC let me know ill have a donation and a place for you to stay

[burn_your_money]

Sorry about your loss
Great idea, I hope this makes the papers/magazines
Set up a paypal account. I'll send some money. If you need some parts for the bunny hit me up raging_freestyler@hotmail.com. No charge.

[azninferno]

my prayers and condolences.

this is a very valiant thing youre doing here. im all about donating money, so setup a paypal and im there. hopefully meet you on your journey

[Beau]

Lost a good frined of mine 2 weeks ago as well. Things will get better, and what your doing would have been appreciated by your buddy.

Hope the guy that shot him feels bad and is punished, although I don't think ist's his fault for what society has made him. It's too bad.

Check with Ebay. Set up a charity store/auctions and I'd throw some stuff in to sell for the cause. Money's tough, but everyone has a few parts to getrid of.

Bump

[sicklyscott]

Wow....i dont know what to say man....

When you make it over here to jersey....if you guys decide not to stay in a hotel....find some of the djd guys...they're amaing and worse comes to worst....you can atelast sleep in a tent on thier yard. Tell em scott sent ya....they'll help ya out...

Good luck man and try to have fun with the car...sas I'm sure Darren meant it

[Ryan9118]

Damn man, sorry for your loss.

Just more stupid and mindless violence to make the world sad. I remember one time I heard that two of my friends got shot and I almost had a heart attack right there. Luckily it was nothing major (supposedly an accident) and we were kickin it the next day. Can't imagine what it would be like to lose a close friend like that.

I like the idea with the GTI. Your friend would definitely appreciate it. Good luck with it all, man.

[Weakness]

I'd get a hold of local TV affiliates to push your cause and cover your story so you can get bigger hype in your local area and hopefulyl grow as you march across the country. CVO members in Chicagoland have voice wanting to see the car. Keep the 'tex updated with your travel plans!

[rabbitmania]

Wow, I can't believe what I just read. So sorry to hear this.
Good luck with it all.

[waskleywabbit]

its totally awesome what you're doing. i know what its like to lose a friend to mindless violence. If you pass through Richmond, VA you have a place to stay. techie83_99@yahoo.com. just let me know. im part of the richmonddubs so anything you need, im sure i can set it up with my admin and we'll set you up with a gtg or 2

-Ryan

[PVDUBBER]

You are a Super Hero in my eyes!

[The Maytag Man]

That is very awesome of you to do that, and it gives hope to alot of people that there is alot of good out there despite all the bad we have been seeing.

[VEEDUBR]

Quote, originally posted by killerbunny84 »

If you find a good organization I'm sure a bunch of my fellow Canadian dubbers might be able to help you out ( we caravan to waterfest every year)

Sorry to hear about the loss a best friend. As mentioned above we kanadians have some pretty good gtg's and huge groups of dubbers head out to waterfest as well. If you organize something for in that area let me or the usuals in this forum know and we will definately get a crowd going. Great idea with the rabbit and you got my support. Keep in touch with us before waterfest!

[MRVW01]

I'll be glad to help in anyway I can. Parts, money, a place to stay along the way. Just let me know.

I work for a VW dealer in Cincinnati, I will see if they will help too.

PS-MODS can you sticky this so it doesn't get lost?

[kiyoshilionz]

Someone from Chicago posted this up on the Chicago Volkswagen Organization website. Hopefully they will plan something around your trip if you plan on coming by here.

[lowNslo]

Good Luck, and a great great idea. All this gun violence has to stop.