In-N-Out Burger fans got the chance to cruise Pacific Coast Highway with Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson and then have selfies taken with her on Saturday, Jan. 13.
The occasion was Cruisin’ 2 Freedom, an annual fundraiser by the In-N-Out owner to combat human trafficking.
This year’s event was a car cruise starting at 3 p.m., in Huntington Beach, followed by a burger dinner at the OC Fair & Events Center in Costa Mesa.
It benefits the Slave 2 Nothing Foundation founded by Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson and her husband Sean Ellingson to fight substance abuse and human trafficking. The foundation provides funds to grassroots organizations working in communities where In-N-Out does business. The chain currently has 401 restaurants in eight states: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Oregon, Colorado and, as of December, Idaho.
Since January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, that’s where Slave 2 Nothing turns its focus at the start of the year.
The cruise ended at the Hangar in the fairgrounds, where about 60 cars were greeted by In-N-Out food truck staffs waving pompoms.
Several of the cars from Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson’s collection were on display on the patio and in the Hangar, where she posed for photos with sponsors before a two-hour program. Speakers with Victor Marx of Murrieta-based All Things Possible Ministries and Annie Lobert of Pink Chair, who both discussed how childhood abuse needs to sexual exploitation.
“It’s a bit of a mixed message, the reality of what we’re here for, and yet we’re able to enjoy the day,” said Sean Ellingson.
A live auction yielded another opportunity to interact with Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, tours of In-N-Out’s base in Baldwin Park or its plant in Chino. They raised $22,000 from two bids of $11,000 each.
In-N-Out trucks were on hand to feed attendees as well as other vendors such as Tacos 1986, Two Doughs Pizza Co. and Mike’s Mini Donuts.
In addition to the car cruise, In-N-Out is raising funds for…
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