Route 66 Mopar Club History

This club originated in Joplin, Missouri in April of 1999. It was started by three men with a common interest in MOPARS which initiated the forming of an area club by Ivan Hussong (president), Tom Rhinehart (treasurer), and Jack Berry. Jack Berry assumed the position of President and expanded its membership area beyond the original boundaries with meeting sites moving to Clever, Billings, Aurora, and then residing in Springfield, MO. Membership grew to around 100 members as the club had no requirement of dues.

In 2003 Steve Brown was elected President establishing structure with emphasis on growing membership while following the club’s mission statement. While not campaigning for the position, Steve has been re-elected several times by vote and request of the membership. With his wife Tamie, dedicated club officers and members, the roster has grown at one point from the "Dirty Dozen" to eighty-four with approximately thirty charter members attending the monthly meetings as of the club’s 15th Anniversary year. Club activities have gone beyond just gathering to eat out, to monthly summer cruises by the Activities Director, including attending selected car shows as a club,  the club’s Annual Car Show and Christmas Party.

The creation of a club internet web page was started by Julie Thomas, passing it on to Ian Bond and then Stephan John, which has been a valuable tool for communication and recruitment. In 2010 the addition of a Facebook club page was started by Mitch Williams and has attracted over 700 followers by 2020. All newsletters were mailed hard copy until the club’s Secretary Becky Alexander started sending them by email. Now only a few are sent by USPS mail. As a non-profit organization, Treasurer Karen Vejraska (2011 - 2015), kept the club’s operating finances in order so that events like the annual car show could be possible.

The club has at times been international with members from all over including Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, Maryland, Arkansas, Illinois, and Canada.

Our Annual Car Show raises money for local charities. Some of the charities that have benefited are: Alzheimer’s, HIS Children’s Camp, Gearhead Ministries, Child Advocacy Center, Camp Barnabus, Lost and Found, Isabel’s House, Ozark Food Harvest’ Mobile Food Pantry, Children’s Miracle Network, Harmony House, Branson’s Christian Action Ministries, and Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks.