By TARA SULLIVAN Chronicle Correspondent
Car enthusiasts around Montgomery County are gathering to do more than
trade stories about their classic machines. At several local clubs,
the effort is on to raise money for a variety of local charities and
scholarships. In the last seven years, The Woodlands Car Club has
donated more than $31,000 to various groups and hopes to continue that
trend this year.
UNDER THE HOOD: Debbie Cloud listens as club president Dana Pritchard shows her
a "Cars & Coffee for a Cause" flyer during The Woodlands Car Club gathering
Woodlands and Conroe car buffs turn meets into fundraisers
UNDER THE HOOD: Lettie and Frank Conner show Sean Rizk the engine of their renovated 1957 Aston Martin during The Woodlands Car Club gathering at Classic Pizza, 1500 Research Forest Drive. Members display their cars and chat with visitors and other club members.
Several car clubs around Montgomery County are turning hobbyists into
philanthropists, gathering members for more than "shop talk" at local
meets and shows.
"Traditionally, I think what a lot of retirees with class cars are
used to is just a bunch of guys getting together and talking about
what's underneath somebody's hood," Dana Pritchard, president of The
Woodlands Car Club, said. "When people come out though and see all
that we do, they say it brings me back to a simpler time and it makes
me feel good.'"
The Woodlands Car Club, which has a membership of only about 60
people, generates between $8,000 and $10,000 through its two yearly
shows.
Such collections go towards local charitable causes.
One of their newest and most popular summer events, "Cars and Coffee
for a Cause," contributes to the local charity effort "Market Street:
Change for Charities." TWCC members gather at 10 a.m. the first Sunday
of each month at Market Street The Woodlands, where non-governmental
parking meters collect change for charities. Each year, Change for
Charities organization select four local charity groups to receive the
collected change, which is totaled quarterly.
After just three meets into TWCC's participation in the event, which
they began in March, the change collection program had already raised
about $100.
DRIVE-IN: Kathryn Schmidt, of The Woodlands, parks her 1932 Ford hot rod as her husband, Larry, watches.
At the end of the year, the club plans to match the collections,
making another donation to "Market Street: Change for Charities."
The organization this year benefits the American Cancer Society Relay
for Life - Montgomery County, Habitat for Humanity Montgomery County,
Montgomery County Food Bank and Children's Safe Harbor.
In the last seven years, TWCC has donated more than $31,000 to similar
local charities, and members report that local enthusiasm and
generosity for their efforts has increased exponentially.
"We're a little car club," Pritchard said. "Our first year, back in
2001, we raised about $2,500 at a show, now we're averaging $8,000."
The Conroe Cruisers club similarly strives to give back to the
community, helping needy children and families in the area.
"We put more back in the community and that's our goal," President
Juanita Hooks said.
With between 150 to 200 members, the Conroe Cruisers club was formed
22 years ago. Believing that everybody can help in some way, the club
welcomes an array of club owners from the pint-sized and up.
"Our youngest girl is a first-grader, and our oldest member is
probably 80 years old, and he still has the original Buick he started
with," Hooks said.
The idea of granting membership to youngsters began several years ago,
when organizers realized the enthusiasm the children of members had
for the event.
They then created the title of "Junior Cruiser," which was bestowed on
any club member under the age of 18. Because many of the youngsters
don't have their own cars just yet, their membership entails duties
such as selling raffle tickets.
Funds generated by the club during their two main yearly shows and
other events help to adopt needy families at Christmas and give
scholarships to local students.
The club has also made donations to hospice and animal rescue
organizations as well. Over the last six years, the Conroe Cruisers
have raised more than $40,000 for local charity efforts.
The group also has two named scholarship categories, the James Johnson
Memorial Scholarship which goes to a Conroe High School graduate, and
the Karley Bradley Memorial Scholarship which goes to a graduate of
Willis High School.
Last year, the group gave five $1,000 scholarships.
