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33rd Olde Car Club show set for Aug. 7
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Joe Phillips, a member of the Mahoning Valley Old Car Club, drives his 1923 Essex during last year’s car show. Hunter Shaffer, a 4-year-old boy with refractory epilepsy, is the benefit recipient of this year’s show on Aug. 7.
By Elise Franco
Boardman
The Mahoning Valley Olde Car Club’s car show is the ultimate gathering place for people whose knees get weak at the sight of an antique ride.
The club’s 33rd annual car show, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 7 at Boardman Park, displays hundreds of cars from every decade from the 1920s on up, said Dee Tripp, club spokeswoman.
“Last year, we had close to 300 cars, and it was our biggest show ever,” she said. “Most of the cars are from the ’20s through the ’60s.”
Tripp said the club will hand out 48 awards in categories including, “Model A Ford, 1928 to 1931,” “Special Interest Cars,” “Street Rods,” “Mustang,” “Corvette” and “Chevrolet.”
Preregistration for cars is $7 through Aug. 3. Registration is $10 at the gate, and guest admission is free.
Tripp said she became involved with the club because of her father, a charter member. She said she knows of many others who also joined because their parents’ and friends’ involvement piqued their interest.
“I think when people have a common interest like this, friendships develop naturally,” she said. “These people come from all over. It’s amazing because people in this area just love cars.”
Tripp said one of the show’s main purposes is to raise money for a child with a disease or disorder. She said this year’s beneficiary is 4-year-old Hunter Shaffer, of Austintown, who suffers from refractory epilepsy. His seizures can last from 15 minutes to an hour, Tripp said.
Dave Bayowski, a member of the club’s board of directors, said the board receives referrals about children in need.
“We take into consideration many kids who might be chosen or submitted by the membership,” he said. “The only thing that really narrows it down may be someone who needs it more.”
Bayowski said the club, which is a nonprofit organization, decided about 10 or 15 years ago that raising money for children with medical needs would be a good way to spend profits from the car show.
He said a portion of the proceeds also benefits two other children chosen by the board. Those children are presented with their money at the club’s spring and winter banquets.
“We have a collection at the car show specifically for [Hunter,]” Bayowski said. “The fact is that we are helping somebody else out.”
Tripp said over the past 10 years, the club has donated more than $50,000 to many children.