GGR Xmas Toy Drive Drive Dec 2025

Jan 23

What a way to end the year. Due to our November overnight Sierra Drive and the pending Thanksgiving holidays, changing weather patterns ( pending rainy season ) we were running out of dates quickly for a December outing of any kind. The route planning committee recommended staying with a tried and true shorter drive in the Marin to West Sonoma area. A place we’ve trekked many times and would be quick and easy task given the time to plan, pre-run and execute.

Then one of our seasoned volunteers ( Omar Portigliatti Pomeri ) brought forward an idea of a Drive ending at a Toy Drive, hence the Toy Drive Drive. Yet because our potential ending venue was in Diablo Valley’s Region we should involve and inform their team. Good news, our organizing lead had already accomplished this communication ( several times ). Additional good news was the venue was at no cost to the Region due to Omar’s early and charitable negotiations. A beautiful meeting facility for the One Lake residents. Only caveat was our event needed to complete no later than 100pm. This would come back in play later. Omar had also made arrangements with the Travis Air Force Base Exceptional Family Member Program the recipients of our Toys from the day ( see attached ). To collect our groups holiday gifting, GGR Volunteer JB Ellis brought his 1954 Chevy 3100 pickup for our display prop. Of course, as it began to rain, we were easily able top move all gifts under cover.

Given our short notice for the event, and a rainy day, we had a terrific turn out, 21 cars, 28 people with 3 members on their First GGR Drive. Per their feedback and comments, we hope to see them all again. Our original route was taking us to Fairfield via Angwin, Howell Mountain, Pope Valley, Chilies Pope Valley Road to Moskowite Corner. During a pre-planning discussion with our host we learned we had to vacate our venue no later than 100pm for another event being set up after ours. Good news was we had a very viable alternate route that would allow our 2nd Group to reach our venue in plenty of time for cookies, coffee, hot chocolate and lots of Porsche conversation. Our only hiccup came during JB Ellis’s pre-run. Our usual parking lot ( Hennessey Lake Public Boat Ramp ) for the mandatory bio break was completely closed, yet the county did have open temporary toilets for us. A pullover a short walking distance away on Sage Canyon Road would allow compliance and safety for the groups. All in all, even though our route was reduced from 82 miles to 54 miles it still provided some fun and challenges for all. Just a bit less than our normal Drives and more tour than challenge. Yet again this day was about giving and holiday fellowship.

We plan on being back on schedule in the coming year for the fun, challenging and spirited drives our chapter is known to deliver. Thanks for all that have participated and contributed to these events in 2025. I’m especially proud of the volunteers, without we could not continue to deliver quality drives, fun outings and friendly Porsche camaraderie. I would especially like to acknowledge Kurt Kruger, Birgit Heinz, Soah Hsu, Chris Anton Chen, Dean Zingmond, Jamal & Sarah Boudi, Kumar Dasanur, Subby Ghosh, Krish K, Jayson Gispan, Shai & Hedva Redlich, Abu & Nazil Taghizadeh, Hugo Villa, Ken Varner, Ottmar Stubler, Jacqueline Birmingham, Omar Pomeri, Michelle Olson, Ash Donikan ) for their time, support and contributions to this endeavor.

Looking back and reviewing the numbers, what a fun and rewarding year. Some of our chapter's accomplishments

10 success outings, our goal of one per month traversing North, South, East Bay venues.
2 overnight tours to Cambria and Plymouth – Sutter Creek Sierras, with special invitation to visit Porsche artist Kelly Telfer’s studio. Both were requested to be repeated in 2026.
At least 1413 touring miles covered safely by over 300 chapter members ( not including passengers or dogs ) without major incidence, breakdowns or injury. This does not include PCA mandatory pre-drives.
Over 50 new members with their first time drives.
Guiding 62 plus cars safely to our joint PCA 70th Birthday with our friends from Redwood Region.
Finding, plotting, planning and pre-driving 5 new routes GGR had not done prior.

In conclusion, so grateful for this past year success’, the support of our Board and renewing my postion, participating with other regions on joint events, my first HPDE track outing at Laguna Sega, and most of all our eager, fun and very competent volunteers that support all our Tour endeavors.

We are looking forward to another successful Motoring year in 2026, please come and join us!

Never Stop Driving.

Cheryl Spott

Motoring Director