Estimated Arrival Time

The crack crew aboard Burger One expect that they will arrive at 7:00 PM to the YIOP parking lot.

See you there.

Official Drive a Thon History

2002
Drive a Thoners
Gil
Arye
Micha - Man on the Ground with the Updates


Drive A Thon took place in my Ford Taurus. It is notable that Gil was unable to finish a single BUrger Buddy on that trip. He had an excuse, which is usually discussed during the airing of grievances section of the trip.

2003
Drive a Thoners
Gil
Arye
Aaron
Yudi Jay
Larry the Driver
Bobby the Videographer
Micha - Man on the Ground with the Updates

Drive A Thon II was the first Drive a Thon to use a roman numeral in its name. It was also the first Drive a Thon to use an RV, named Burger One.

2004
Drive a Thoners
Gil
Arye
Aaron
Jerry
Larry the Driver
Micha - Man on the Ground with the Updates

Drive a Thon III was the most profitable Drive A Thon, bringing over $3000 to Hazon Yeshaya. The previous Drive A Thons supported One Israel Fund.

2005
Drive a Thoners
Gil
Jerry
Larry the Driver
Micha - Man on the ground with the Updates

This is going on today, and you can read all about it below.

Also, special mention needs to go to Gabi, who has paid for the gas for every mile drivwen in Drive A Thon history.

What They're Going Through

As a Three Time Drive A Thon Veteran (Only Gil has gone on more Drive A Thons in the history of Drive A Thons, with 4) I can tell you what they are going through right now. They are about 120 miles out, and at this point, they are starting to ask themselves if it is worth it to use the toilet in the RV. It is an unwritten Drive a Thon policy to only urinate in the RV, however, at this time, as the trip is too close home to bother stopping, Drive A Thoners have to ask themselves if they are willing to slow down or risk using Burger One's commode.

They're also thinking that it would be nice if I showed up this morniing, so they could play some poker, and wondering whether or not they should crack the bottle of crown back open.

There are a number of Drive a Thon traditions that they have been doing throughout the day, and you can rest assured that Jerry and Gil have aired their grievances, had a few shots, stuffed themselves to the point of almost throwing up, and played a few hands of Texas Hold Um.

You can also bet that they have spilled all over the Burger One.

The end of the day usually tails off into early planning discussions for Drive A Thon V, scheduled for June 13, 2007, as well as talk abou8t Jerry's hosting the MNFBBQ event this Monday night.

Paying Tribute

Larry is one of the unsung heroes of the Drive A Thon. The official driver since Drive A Thon II, Larry has made sure that the meat gets where its going, without putting too much pressure on the MNFBBQers in the middle of doing their very taxing job of being in a Drive A Thon.




Even Larry the Driver can't beat construction. The boys are sitting in traffic outside of Decatur.

Coming Home

Burger One is motoring its way through the Hoosier State on its return trip to YIOP. Estimated arrival time is 7:00. Former Drive A Thoners Air and Noah Daddy will reunite at the landing site with their former crew members to assist in distributing the meat.

As you can see from the pictures, Gil has not moved one inch since Burger One left YIOP at 5:30 this morning. It should come as no surprise, especially those of us in the MNFBBQ, that Gil is yapping away on his phone.

Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Go In The RV

Sorry for exposing you to these pictures, but it's important to know the price the Drive A Thoners pay to bring you your meat.

It Isn't All Fun And Games

I have purposely placed the picture for this post far enough down so that you will not see it without adequate warning. Many of you think that a Drive A Thon is just a casual jaunt across the state for a bite to eat. Little do you realize the perils that this venture entails. As the below picture way too vividly illustrates, forced over-consumption (let's admit it, a man has no choice but to eat to excess when in Ken's) can lead to some ghastly sights. Take a look for yourself, but don't say I didn't warn you.

A Dream Realized

Even though this is the fourt year of Drive A Thon, there is still a special feeling to see our guys safely there enjoying the fruits, or in this case meats, of their hard work. I can only imagine how much sweeter it must be for those actually experiencing it. It's sort of like watching Kotel Cam versus being at the actual Western Wall. I'm now going to move away from the window before the lightning bolt catches me. This last shot is of Air's seat at Ken's. Notice how empty it is.

The Eagle Has Landed

Southfield, We Have A Problem

Burger One is stuck in traffic on the Dan Ryan. Okay, it's not that big of a problem considering it's 9:25 in the morning and we're talking about an expressway in the heart of such a big city. I just wanted to use that Apollo 13 line.

Skyway

Burger One is on the Chicago Skyway. For some perspective on just how close the men of Drive A Thon 4 are to the mecca of kosher meat, the Skyway is a 7.8 mile toll road that feeds into the Dan Ryan Expressway, an interstate highway that leads to Ken's and Romanian. Of course, some might say that all roads lead to Ken's and Romanian. Anyway, you can find all the information that you could ever want and more about the Chicago Skyway here. This just goes to remind you that the Drive A Thon is not just about stuffing our faces. We're also about charity and education. Not that there's anythhing wrong with stuffing your face.

Leaving The Great Lakes State

As you can see from these images, which Jerry just transmitted to Ground Control, Burger One is entering Indiana. This means that Jerry, Gil and Larry reached Climax a little while ago. Insert your own comments.

Look Out Jackson Town

Johnny Cash sang about Jackson many years ago. It was probably another Jackson, presumably down south. Yet his words seem rather appropriate today. Ground Control just minutes ago reestablished contact with Burger One as it passed through Jackson, Michigan. The town may be infamous for the prisons and all the inmates they house, but nothing could prepare the sleepy hamlet for those ruffians aboard Burger One.

As you can see from the picture, Gil and his merry crew are raising hell on their way to meat heaven. I must sadly, however, report that Air is not aboard. Like Hebrew National, he answers to a higher authority. On a more positive note, a special commnendation goes to Jerry, who will be driving to Cleveland tonight for some program for smart kids. Questions about the true identity of said son's true father met with abject silence from Jerry.

Liftoff, We Have Liftoff

It's a glorious morning. The sun is coming up, the temperature is just right and Burger One is en route to the Windy City. Ground Control established first contact with Burger One just moments ago, at 5:41 a.m. Burger One reports that it lifted off the YIOP launch pad at 5:35, only five minutes after the originally scheduled departure. While some naysayers may criticize the tardiness, it's noteworthy that this is reportedly the earliest and most punctual Drive-A-Thon in its storied annals. It of course raises the question of, if they can be on the road by 5:35, why some members (cough, Air, cough) can't make it to morning minyan. But let's not get sidetracked from the wonder that is today.

The only sad thought about today's mission is that this will be Air's last before making Aliyah next month. It was just three short years ago that Air envisioned what we have today, savoring the thought of the great meat that we shall all enjoy this evening. If he does nothing else of merit with his life, Air can still hold his head high as a man of vision, a man of conviction who realized his dreams. Air, we salute you! And to you and the rest of your crew, good luck and God speed.