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SOA Charity Scrambler recognzied in BRC magazine! see link: http://www.sharetrails.org/magazine/article.php?id=1634 Scrambler Owners Association Steps upin a Big Wayto Support BRCby Greg Mumm,
BRC Executive Director
 Greg Mumm, BRC Executive Director (left), with (from left to right) Bill Heins, Jason Adams, Ken Adams, Mike Starkebaum, and Scott Mine of the Scrambler Owners Association. When Scott Mine of the National Scrambler Owners Association called me about their "SOA Great 8 Restoration Charity Project," I was thrilled. This national group is dedicated to keeping a little bit of America alive and well. Originally dubbed the Jeep Scrambler, the CJ-8 is often called the "long Jeep" and was only manufactured from 1981 to 1986.
Scott told me that the Scrambler Owners Association hatched an idea in late 2004 to restore a Jeep Scrambler to raffle off and donate the proceeds to both the St. Jude Children's Hospital and the BlueRibbon Coalition. The Mission:
The Scrambler Owners Association (SOA) will rebuild a complete Jeep Scrambler CJ-8 from donated parts & labor. The vehicle build-up, its subsequent attendance at Jeep/4WD events, and raffling it off for charity will build awareness of the SOA and Jeep Scramblers in general.
The Objectives:- Build a complete Jeep Scrambler CJ-8 from donated parts & labor, and from fundraising for this cause. The Scrambler should meet the following criteria:
- Clear title/VIN (original, not "assembled" title)
- Retain "stock-ish" Scrambler characteristics, such as original body, 1/2 top, and rollbar.
- When completed, vehicle will attend select Jeep/4WD events
I was fascinated. I have personally done a frame off restoration project on my own trail rig and am well aware of what is involved in a project of that magnitude, let alone doing it with volunteers on a national scale.
When you look at the history of this rebuild, it is a remarkable story. Parts needed were donated and shipped from all over the United States and Canada. Talk about logistics. Not only did they have to deal with gathering all the necessary parts and pieces to build a vehicle, but they also got those parts to the right volunteers, in the right places, at the right time to get the job done. Many businesses donated aftermarket parts and accessories to make this Charity Scrambler both special and trail ready—giving this CJ-8 a pedigree and an enviable list of bonus features. It was literally a massive coordination effort that had this vehicle and parts to complete it gathered up from and travelling around the country for over two years as it progressed through its various stages of completion.
From New Jersey to California with Michigan, Kansas, Moab, and many other stops along the way, this CJ-8 was a labor of love that took countless hours, thousands of miles of travel, and a healthy dose of elbow grease and resolve to complete. The rolling chassis was built in Richmond, Virginia. The body was mounted on the chassis at their third National Scramble in Moab, Utah in 2006, and the final assembly completed in Kansas in 2007. In between there were work parties and work weekends in various locations around the country where the members/friends gathered together to do their part in the process. The Scrambler even had its own trailer. Volunteers would haul the vehicle (donating gas and time) to the next place it needed to be.
When the last bolt was tight, it was a very special vehicle built for a very special purpose: to help both St. Jude's and BlueRibbon Coalition fulfill their missions. The raffle began and again the vehicle was taken on the road to events and places where those tickets could be sold. This too was a remarkable effort and in the end, selling tickets at only $5 each, they raised over $32,000 to divide between St. Jude and BRC.
The drawing was held at the 5th Annual National Scramble event in Clayton, Oklahoma. Even more amazing was that the lucky number drawn at the event was held by attendees at the event, Jake and Jennifer White from Alabama. In typical fashion, Jake was still out on the trail helping one of his compatriots repair his vehicle when the drawing was held. So, Jenn and company loaded up in the Scrambler and headed out to the trail to surprise Jake. Can you imagine?
 Restored and modified CJ-8 Scrambler that was raffled off at the Great 8 Restoration Charity Project.
I was fortunate enough to spend a little time with some of the folks involved at an event in Colorado and to have them present a check to BRC. I am both grateful and proud of this membership endeavor to help BlueRibbon Coalition in its mission to protect access for recreation. I say the Scrambler Owners Association fulfilled their mission on this project in spades. I can't thank them enough.
About the SOAfrom their website:
Founded in 2002, The Scrambler Owners Association (SOA) is a group of people who all share a passion for the "long Jeep," the CJ8 Scrambler. SOA's goal is to promote fellowship within the small Scrambler community.
The SOA supports Tread Lightly! and is a non-profit corporation under the laws of South Carolina. For now the SOA's primary activities are 4x4 meets and helping each other build, rebuild or maintain our Scramblers. These activities will surely grow as the association does. The SOA will join other nearby associations for other group activities or on occasion, create our own.
We tend to be a close-knit group of people who enjoy the company of other members. SOA started on the Internet through the CJ-8.com Scrambler message board. Discussions grew to the point that an official charter association was formed so that the organization could be properly established.
Membership is open to anyone who owns a CJ-8, and members are always encouraged to bring their families to club events. If you or someone you know is interested in obtaining more information about the Scrambler Owners Association, please feel free to email us. Contact and other information can be found at their website (www.cj-8.org).
—Questions or comments regarding this article should be directed to the BlueRibbon Coalition: Phone: 208-237-1008, Fax: 208-237-9424. Email: <
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BlueRibbon Magazine, September 2008
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