PORT JERVIS—The community won the most at the June 12 running of the Port Jervis Soap Box Derby. Volunteers at every stage, from the starting line to finish line, to after the finish line, helped to bring off races in the Super Stock, Super Kids, Masters, and Stock divisions.
The Addy twins raced for the top spot in the Masters division with Aiden winning over Elijah this time around.
Everyone in the family of Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler took part in the derby. Hoovler, his wife, and son Heath volunteered, and his son Jackson, 12, took part in the Superstock division. “I just come out every year because the volunteers do such a wonderful job, and I volunteer my time,” Hoovler said.
Compassionate Community
The community put in special effort to make the SuperKids races a fun time for youngsters with special challenges. Cody Eisenring will go to Akron for the national title in this division. The community gives soap box cars to these young people. They race in a two-seater with an experienced soap box racer.
Erin Brown, 12, raced three times and placed 4th in this division with Hannah as one of her race partners. This was Erin’s first time. “It was really fun,” she said. Her mother Maryann Brown said she just liked watching her daughter smile and laugh.
Carter Brischler, 5, the 3rd place winner in the SuperKids division, was too small according to regulations but an exception was made. “He is technically too little now but the community came together to pull for him and to make a little boy smile,” said his mother, Stacie Brischler.
Carter has adrenoleukodystrophy, and just returned home after 26 days in the hospital. The disease is caused by inherited conditions that affect the nervous system and adrenal glands, according to healthline.com.
“We are doing our best to make every day his best day ever,” Stacie said. Carter cannot speak but is aware of what’s happening around him. Stacie and George and brother Peyton wore t-shires emblazoned with “courageforcarter.”
The Bisland family took Carter under their wing. Peyton raced in the Bisland Insurance car and was trained by Hannah Bisland. Hannah was in the two-seater with Carter.
According to the Port City’s soap box derby website, the derby started in Akron, OH in 1937, where the national championships are still held. Port Jervis had its first derby ten years later. In recent years, the race has been held on Sussex Street. The Masters division was started in 2006 for experienced racers. The Port Jervis derby is the largest local soap box derby in the world.
Donations for Carter Brischler’s medical costs can be sent to gofundme.com/courageforcarter. Private donations can be sent to: PO Box 754 Sparrowbush NY 12780
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