From Matchbox Cars to the Rhode Rally: How One Student Turned a Lifelong Passion Into a Fundraiser for Hasbro Children's Hospital

Long before he organized a 150-mile charity car rally, Jack Masse, of Rumford, could often be found on the living room floor of his family home carefully lining up Matchbox cars.

As a young kid, he knew the make and model of nearly every vehicle in his growing collection. Hours were spent arranging dozens of cars, creating imaginary road trips, and dreaming about future adventures. What began as a childhood fascination eventually became a genuine passion.

Years later, that enthusiasm led Jack to the Audrain Automobile Museum in Newport, where he spent nearly three years volunteering and immersing himself in Rhode Island's vibrant car community. But as he approached his senior year at Providence Country Day School, he wanted to do more than simply celebrate cars. He wanted to create something meaningful.

The result was the Rhode Rally.

Designed as his high school senior project, the inaugural event brought together 20 sports, luxury and collector cars for a day-long driving adventure that began at the Audrain Automobile Museum in Newport, traveled to the historic Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, Massachusetts, and returned to Rhode Island. Participants enjoyed museum tours, scenic roads, and the opportunity to support a meaningful cause while sharing their enthusiasm for automobiles.

Driven by his passion for cars and community service, Jack organized the inaugural Rhode Rally to benefit Hasbro Children's Hospital, raising $6,100 through registrations, sponsorships, and donations. The event was supported by the Audrain Automobile Museum, Jack's mentor Ben Chester, the museum's Head of Operations, and sponsors including Edge Realty, AHEAD, Quality Fruitland, Resmini Injury Lawyers, Round Hill Ranch, and Autohaus.

Jessica Foley, Senior Development Events Officer, Brown University Health, thanked everyone involved in the Rhode Rally in a post on LinkedIn. She wrote, “On behalf of Hasbro Children's, thank you to Jack for organizing this incredible event to support the hospital and our patients and families. We know how much work goes into organizing a fundraiser, and we are so appreciative to be the beneficiary. Thank you, Jack, and to Ben for your mentorship, and all the supporters!”

For many participants, the Rhode Rally delivered an unforgettable experience on and off the road. Tom Thalmann, President of Entropy, LLC and Co-Founder of Unity Consulting Group, Inc., praised Jack's leadership. He said, "Watching a young adult orchestrate, navigate, and coordinate an event like this was truly inspiring. Jack is a true champion, and we all had the benefits of observing him showing us his greatest talents. I'm already looking forward to next year's rally."

For Jack, the rally represented something even more significant: the realization that a childhood passion could become a vehicle for helping others. "What started as a senior project became an opportunity to bring people together for a good cause," Jack said. "I've always loved cars, but it was rewarding to see that passion make a difference for children and families." For Jack, "Driven to Give" is more than the Rhode Rally's tagline—it's the story behind the event. From collecting Matchbox cars as a child to organizing a charity rally as a high school senior, he has turned a lifelong passion for automobiles into an opportunity to give back.

Learn more about the Rhode Rally at: https://therhoderally.org/.