Danville man ends seven-year fundraiser

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Sparky George, of Danville, Calif., thanks a group participating in the last "Hats Off America" 10K/5K run in Danville, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009. George is hanging up his hat with "Hats Off America," the charitable organization he started to raise money for the families of soldiers killed in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has been running six miles a night, five nights a week logging more than 12,000 miles with a five-pound weight pack since Sept. 15, 2002, for Hats Off America. (Doug Duran/Staff)

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DANVILLE — Seven years, 12,000 miles and about $20,000 later, "Sparky" George Cave is ending his run to raise money for the families of soldiers killed in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

Cave, who can be seen nightly in Danville, running bare chested and with a miniature American flag on his behind to remember the soldiers who "cover his butt," started Hats Off America to raise money for the families of all the soldiers who have died in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

He's likely to continue collecting money through his foundation, but the economic downturn is forcing him to close his auto restoration shop, Classic Auto Restoration, in San Ramon. He said he hasn't had business since March and his lease ends in January. He plans on selling his house and moving to a place his family owns up north soon after that.

But the hardest part, he said, is letting go of the foundation.

"It brings a tear to my eye," Cave said, "but it won't break my spirit."

At first, the goal was $1 million per soldier, but the 100 fundraising events he has put on — runs, cars shows, casino nights — didn't bring in much in the way of attendees or cash. With the war debt and the war dead on the increase, Cave substantially trimmed down the monetary goals.

After six years, he's raised $19,600 for one Bay Area family, he said, and another $500 for a veteran's organization.

"I only get about 40 people per event," Cave said. "To

Denise Howe of Pacific Communications has done the publicity for Cave's events since 2004. She said she was sad to learn of the end of Hats Off America. She said she believes in what Cave was trying to do and admired his perseverance and his commitment to his foundation.

"He's a former Marine," Howe said. "He's very tenacious. He believes so much in the cause."

Cave always hoped to get more community support. He would get honks from drivers as he ran in Danville, but says, "wish (I) could turn those pats on the back into dollars."

The foundation's final 10K and 5K run was held Saturday in Danville, but Cave reiterates that's he's not giving up. The 60-year-old said you will still see him in Danville, rain or shine until he moves.

"I will continue to run," he said. "I will continue to chant the names of those soldiers."

Reach Sophia Kazmi at 925-847-2122. Follow her at Twitter.com/sophiakazmi.