posted 10-16-2000 11:32 AM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by CJ:
Check this site for an article on Patrick's Prowler Day!
http://www.lawton-constitution.com

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Here's the actual link to that particular day:
http://www.lawton-constitution.com/front_archive/101500.pdf

posted 10-16-2000 01:11 PM                  

Lawton had its own "Miracle on 34th Street" Saturday afternoon, except it was on Trenton street and one Lawton boy was on center stage.

Just like any other 13-year-old boy, Patrick Foster gets up every weekday morning, rides the bus to school and comes home at the end of the day eager to play his computer games and dreading his nightly homework assignments.

Sound familiar?

But Patrick, a seventh-grader at MacArthur Junior High School, has a special gift. Each day, he has the will and perseverance to get up and face the challenges living with muscular dystrophy, a potentially life-threatening disease, presents him. One of which is making his way around in a motorized wheelchair everyday.

Saturday, however, was no ordinary day. As Patrick wheeled out his front door, he sat in shock as 13 Chrysler Plymouth Prowler sport cars cruised past his driveway, took a lap and then parked curbside at his house at 4805 Trenton Road.

Patrick, an avid Prowler fan, eyeballed the long row of two-seater buggies lining the street, four glimmering in cherry red, four covered in pitch black paint, two plum purple cars, one shimmering in silver and one glaring yellow Prowler. There was even one Prowler decorated in patriotic red, white and blue in honor of the upcoming presidential elections.

"I’ve never seen a convoy of Prowlers," Patrick said as he sat fidgeting in his chair while family, friends and neighbors glanced over his shoulder. "I think I’m going to be famous after this day," he added, smiling.

One by one, Prowler owners stepped out of their cars and extended a hand to meet Patrick, the boy they had traveled to greet.

Patrick developed a fascination for Plymouth Prowlers about a year ago, his dad, Jim Foster said.

The Prowler, valued at around $45,000, made its debut on the market in 1997 as a "limited production car." The car will stop being made in 2003. There are only about 8,000 Prowler cars in existence, according to Nowell Herman, the president of the official Plymouth/Chrysler Prowler Club.

It all started about a month ago when Patrick’s dad discovered a couple of Prowler web sites. He logged on one of the sites, which are designed and dedicated for savvy Prowler-owners nationwide, and asked if there was any way Patrick could get a special membership for the site.

Herman immediately authorized a free, one-year membership to the Prowler Club for Patrick and then sent him some gifts including a Prowler pin, Prowler ball cap, a custom-made Prowler T-shirt, a mini Prowler license plate and many other perks.

"I have three children of my own and one right around the same age as Patrick….I love my children," Herman said. "It felt like the natural thing to do."

After posting various messages on the Prowler Club web site (www.prowlerclub.com) and the Prowler Owners Association site (www.prowleronline.com), a brother club, the word spread about Patrick’s love for Prowlers and his dream of someday riding in one.

Within 30 minutes of posting the message on the site, there were four cars committed to coming to Lawton to surprise Patrick, said Paul Rosenberg, a member and spokesperson for the Prowler Owners Association.

"After two days we had 37 replies (from area Prowler owners) wanting to help Patrick," Rosenberg said.

One Prowler owner came from Oklahoma City, 11 drove up from the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, area, and one hailed all the way from San Antonio, Texas.

"I’m still numb," Rosenberg exclaimed. "I don’t know who is happier, Patrick or myself."

Rosenberg said the Prowler Owners Association is comprised of a group of Prowler owners who love their cars and convene about once a month for charities, auctions, meetings or just to shoot the breeze.

"We had a chance to make this boy’s dream come true — it’s awesome," Rosenberg said.

"We’re pretty much (dedicated) to good causes," said Danny Adams, a one-year Prowler owner who hailed from Denton, Texas, to surprise Patrick. "This is probably the first time most of these cars have been out in the rain, but we thought it was worth the trip."

Debbie Markwardt and her husband, Cecil Boothe, both of Midlothian, Texas, set the alarm for 7 a.m. Saturday morning to make the drive to Lawton.

"Just to make his wish come true….we’re more than grateful to help," Markwardt said.

Patrick sat and stared at the larger-than-life Prowler cars while being showered with gifts from Prowler owners, like a remote control purple Prowler car, a limited edition Prowler watch and a Prowler bumper sticker for his wheelchair.

"I didn’t know what was going on until I saw the police car and heard the sirens," Patrick explained. "This is the best day of my life."

As if having 13 parked Prowler cars showcasing in front of your house isn’t enough, Patrick then got the chance of a lifetime: to ride shotgun in his favorite color red Prowler.

As he nestled in the leather, bucket seat, top down, Patrick gave a wave to the cameras and said, "I’m ready to ‘prowl’."

"Words that come to mind are, elation, excitement, appreciation….," Jim Foster said as he gazed at the smile on his son’s face.

"We never expected for these guys to bend over backwards and do this for us," he said. "I’m speechless."

"This is something we’ll remember for a long time," said Patrick’s mother, Donna Foster.

"These people just opened up their hearts," Jim Foster said. "I think it’s great for Patrick. It’s really lifted his self-esteem."

"I don’t look like I’m showing it, but I’m happy," Patrick gleamed as he took off riding down the street.