In its first year, Classic Auto Rides (CARs) raised $60,000 and donated everything back to local charities.
Four years later, on Sept. 21 of this year, the organization made over $110,000 in donations at its premiere show, the Buford Auto Summit, bringing the 2024 total raised to $165,000. And CARs isn’t finished yet. The organization’s goal is $250,000 by the end of the year.
Held at Buford High School, the auto show hosted more than 700 show cars and brought out thousands of spectators. The nonprofit, dedicated to giving back to local organizations in the community, made $20,000 donations to Buford School Scholarships, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Friends ‘U’ Need Fun Club, Hometown Counseling Center and Whispering Angels Youth Ranch. In addition, CARs made a $10,000 donation to the Progeria Research Foundation.
In a statement on its Facebook page, Whispering Angels Youth Ranch, an organization that focuses on emotional healing through equine therapy for children who have endured a tragic event or abuse, stated, “We want to extend our gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Classic Auto Rides for this amazing donation. Our mission is able to serve more families than ever but demands a budget of $225,000 annually. CARs has been continually faithful and their mission serves so many.”
Tom Beuglas, the athletic director at Buford High School, was grateful for the contribution to help fund scholarships.
“That money goes into the senior Buford foundation that we use to fund senior scholarships,” Beuglas said. “All of those scholarships they read out at graduation.”
Between the months of March and August, Classic Auto Rides hosts “cruise-ins” for the community to come out and enjoy. However, the Auto Summit was the pinnacle show for the year. A prominent car guru, Chip Foose, flew out from California to serve as guest judge for the event.
“Foose gave us a huge compliment that for small local shows, this was hands down the best one he had ever attended,” said Angela Brown, marketing and event planner for Classic Auto Rides. “He also said if invited back, he would be happy to come. He definitely impacted our attendance in a very positive way.”
The next event for Classic Auto Rides will be a toy drive at the Old/New Shell Station 89 on Moreno Street in downtown Buford on Dec. 7. CARs is asking for new, unwrapped toys to distribute to local children’s organizations for the Christmas season.
FEATURED PHOTO: Spectators Kevin, Keith and Cooper Murray pose for a photo with guest judge Chip Foose, center, at the Buford Auto Summit held Sept. 21, 2024, at Buford High School. Proceeds from the event support local charitable organizations. Photo by Miranda Murray.
