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Charlotte County Christmas Parents will host a car and motorcycle show later this month. On Saturday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the group will hold their event at the Heartland Business Park, just outside of Keysville.

No admission is being charged for the show vehicles or the spectators; however, the volunteers are hoping everyone will contribute generously to their donation jars. Already committed to the Oct. 29 event are a wide variety of classic street cars, antique cars, and motorcycles. There will also be some race cars, including an exact replica of the car driven by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in 2001 at the Daytona 500, where he came in second, and sadly, his legendary father, Dale Sr., lost his life. The car on hand was built by the Richard Childress shop and has an original Dale Earnhardt Incorporated engine, producing 850 horsepower.

Another Richard Childress built race car that was previously driven by Ryan Newman will be there. This car has been outfitted with two seats. Christmas Parents volunteers have been selling $5 raffle tickets for a chance at a 30-minute ride in this car, with speeds up to 170 mph (if the winner wishes to go that fast) at Virginia International Raceway.

Family and friends of the winner will also be able to enter VIR at no admission charge to watch the ride. The owner of the car will coordinate the day for the experience with the winner. Each ticket sold will fill half of a Christmas stocking for a child in need.

WHAT IS CHRISTMAS PARENTS?

Christmas Parents’ goal is to provide a toy over $20, one under $20 toy, a sweater/sweatshirt, a stocking filled with goodies, a blanket, and books for each child. In previous years the number of children helped has been between 200 – 300. Last year they also had some bicycles donated, which permitted a drawing for them to be given to a few very lucky children.

All of this is possible only due to the generosity of individuals, churches, and businesses. The Car Show and Raffle this year is the first since Christmas Parents was revived and reorganized in 2019. The Charlotte Lions Club members are kindly helping by having food and drinks for sale at the event.

Christmas Parents is a 501(c)3 entity whose mission is to provide Christmas presents to Charlotte County children in need from birth to age 12. A registration form was distributed in the schools and is available at Social Services. Qualifications are verified.

For questions about the Christmas Parents program or to volunteer your time, email ChristmasParents@yahoo.com.