Old Zionsville Youth Group and Herbie Have Common Cause

The ZYGIES met Herbie the Love Bug recently and discovered they have something in common with the famous human-like VW -- helping people, especially children.

The ZYGIES are youth group members from , Old Zionsville. Herbie is a reproduction of the Volkswagen Beetle -- owned by a Whitehall man -- featured in several Disney films, starting with 1968's "The Love Bug."

Their meeting place was June 25's Easter Seals Eastern Pa. Walk with Me event at Allentown's Lehigh Parkway.

The ZYGIES helped with setting up, played with children and congratulated finishers. Herbie's owner, Bob Croesus, is the founder of Operation Herbie, an effort to help sick children that stemmed from his own experiences with an ill daughter.

This organization, begun in 2003, uses Herbie’s popularity to bring smiles to children around the world afflicted with an illness. It is also designed to raise awareness of healthcare issues involving children and to raise funds for non-profit organizations associated with children battling these illnesses.

Operation Herbie volunteers visit the children in their homes and help out at events, such as the Easter Seals Eastern Pa. Walk With Me event. 

Croesus, employed at WFMZ, said, “I get such a good feeling watching the kids pet the car and love it as though it is their pet. To see the smiles on their faces and forget about their problems is well worth it to do this.”

At the Easter Seals event, the children and adults were fascinated with Herbie’s abilities. Croesus explained the car has a “built-in brain” (computer), which runs through its antics approximately every 30 minutes. His car squirts water from the windshield wipers, blows the horn, opens the hood and “follows people” with its moving headlights. 

“I try to add something new every year,” Croesus said. “I’m working on getting the bumper to move a certain way, and to get something to squirt out of the hood, like in the films.” 

He also has some features inside the car, which adults recognize from the films:

• A copy of a movie script
• A replica of the large diamond seen in the 1968 movie
• The speedometer, which went up to 200 mph

Croesus does not accept any money for appearances of Herbie.  

“I am touched by their courage,” he said. “They [the children] tug at your heartstrings. I do this to make them smile and laugh, even if it’s just for a few moments.”

For those who wish to see Herbie, the car will make an appearance at Macungie’s Das Awkst Fescht held August 5-7 at Macungie Memorial Park. It will also be seen driving along in the Emmaus Halloween Parade on October 15.

For more information about Operation Herbie, visit www.lovebugcentral.com.