LISBON, Ohio (WKBN) – Nearly 500 Mini Coopers gathered on the streets of Lisbon on Wednesday for a huge, 15-day road trip.

Over 900 people participated in the “Mini Takes the States” road rally, which happens every two years.

“We’re just doing it for fun. It’s a fun vacation, a great way to see places you’d never normally see and drive across the United States in your car,” Christopher Tunison said.

The drivers travel from Atlanta all the way up the east coast past Baltimore, before finally heading west to sunny Palm Springs, California.

The road trip is also raising money for Feeding America. This year, the hashtag #DefyHunger can be found on the sides of the cars.

“Every dollar given to Feeding America gives 11 meals to people who are hungry,” Tunison said.

Bill Warrick is from Virginia but has ancestors that came from the area. He was surprised to find a 170-year-old cash book from his ancestor during a quick stop in the official city records office.

“They went back in the back and brought out some documents from, you know, these are original documents from the mid-1800s. They belonged to my great-great-great-great grandfather. To hold and touch, it’s almost magical, it’s amazing,” Warrick said.

Their next major stop on the tour is Detroit, Michigan. The road trip started July 8 and will end July 23.