Cars have been used a means of transportation for decades, but for the last decade they have also been used as a way for the Benton County Health Department Fundraising Team to help raise funds for other organizations.
This year is no exception and event organizers in Benton County are hoping for an even larger turnout this year at the team’s 10th annual Car and Bike Show to be hosted Saturday.
“We’ve had a great deal of success in the past with the event,” Kelli Daleske, coordinator for Home Care Services for the Benton County Health Center and one of the event’s organizers, said by phone. “In the past we have donated the proceeds from the event to the Cancer Society but this year we decided to branch out and help others as well.”
Daleske commented that in the past nine years the event has raised more than $40,000, which has been donated to the Cancer Society.
“This year we are going to continue to donate to them but we also have decided to donate to the AED Fore the Heart efforts and the Christmas fund that purchases gifts for area children in the community,” Daleske said. “We are also establishing a scholarship fund for seniors in our three schools — Warsaw, Lincoln and Cole Camp — that are in Benton County.
“One senior in each school will be awarded a scholarship,” she added. “The amount of the scholarship depends on our success with the car show.”
With 16 classes of cars, trucks and bikes, Daleske said she and the other organizers feel there is something for everyone to enjoy.
“With some of our bigger shows we have had more than 100 vehicles registered,” Daleske said. “It seems like we always get a lot of Mustangs registered but we really see just about every kind of vehicle registered.
“One reason I think that people keep coming back is that we give trophies for first, second and third places in each class and best-of-show awards too,” she added. “We get a lot of support in the area but we also have a lot of vehicles that are from out-of-state.”
Daleske said they had already received many pre-registrations but many individuals wait until the day of the event to register their vehicle.
“Our registration is from 9 to 11 a.m. and judging is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” Daleske said. “We will hand out the trophies at 2 p.m. and we have some other fun events including a scavenger hunt and a 50/50 drawing that has some really nice prizes that are a part of the event.
“We really just want everyone to come out and have a good time at this year’s event,” she added. “Giving back to the community is something that everyone strives for and we are really passionate about it, this is a way we can help do that.”
The 30th annual Warsaw Jubilee Day Car and Bike show will be hosted Saturday at Drake Harbor. The entry fee is $20 per vehicle.
