Camp Courageous was humbled when Ralph and Inez Kremer of Independence, IA contacted Camp to donate their 1957 Chevrolet BelAir Sport Coupe. This car has had a professionally done frame off restoration. “From top to bottom this is a very detailed/show car” according to Duffy’s Classic Cars. “It has a non-original 327 engine, overdrive automatic transmission, power steering, power font disc brakes and alloy wheels with radial tires which have been added to make this a very fun car to drive,” according to Duffy. The “rest of the car is in stock form. Undercarriage is red oxide primer and very detailed. Paint is a beautiful Dusk Pearl and is in excellent condition and the original color for the car. This car is a very popular make and model and a show winner,” according to Duffy.
Ralph & Inez Kremer have been married for over 60-years. When I asked them why they chose to give Camp Courageous this wonderful gift…they replied, with a tear in their eye, that they have been very fortunate to have had a healthy family and never needed the services of Camp Courageous…but at the same time they fully understood the 24/7/365 care many families with a disabled family member are faced with. Ralph was a farmer (on his own for 60+ years-after serving in the Korean conflict), relator (50-years), and sat on the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors (38-years). He talked of those that were in the County Home, and how proud they were to work, whatever that work might be. We went away from the transfer of the car from the Kremers to the Camp feeling what a wonderful couple, who are genuinely dedicated to making life better for others. The Kremers have a strong blood line for giving back…some of their relatives included Donna (Joe) Ironside-longtime board member/volunteer/donor and Cletus Kremer, who is at Camp almost daily fulfilling camp’s needs. We all agreed, just to think of Cletus Kremer brings a smile to our faces, as he is so dedicated to helping others. Ralph recently commented in a publication, “Being able to help people has been a life goal.” That is a goal Ralph and Inez have exceeded!
