Hundreds of spectators were transported back in time on Saturday, Oct. 2, at the sight of more than 300 antique and classic cars parked throughout Buford High School’s parking lot. The inaugural event was the first of its kind for the newly formed, Buford-based Classic Auto Rides car club. “CARS” is a nonprofit organization started in January 2021 as a charity to give back to the community, according to Buford resident Angela Aman, the organization’s marketing and event planner.
Whereas many car clubs come together over their love of cars, this group wanted to give back and make their events about charity. “Over $50,000 was donated this year,” Aman said. “Next year, our goal is going to be $100,000.”
North Gwinnett Co-Op, Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter, Friends-U-Need, Gwinnett Veterans Resource Center, Buford High School and Whispering Angels Youth Ranch were the recipients of donations from Saturday’s event. All are Buford-based except Whispering Angels of Gainesville, an equine therapy facility that rescues horses and pairs them with children and teens who have been victims of severe trauma.
Additionally, “we gave $6,045 through the co-op to the Buford family who recently lost their mom in a fire and their dad to COVID days later,” Aman said.
Entrants paid a $20 registration fee to show off their prized autos, and spectators attended the event for free. Yearly membership is $50 to join the car club and turns over a new year each January.
“We are always looking for members,” Aman said.
Anyone can become a member and support the organization, and any business can become a sponsor. This year’s sponsors included Rick Hendricks Chevrolet and Jeff Taylor Performance, who each donated motors that were given away as raffle prizes; Concept One, who donated a pulley system; and JEGS, one of the world’s largest auto parts distributors.
Fifty awards were given out Saturday. Judges examined the cars’ interiors, exteriors, engines and undercarriages.
Satisfied with the tremendous success of the event, Aman added, “Today was bigger and better than we could’ve imagined.”
The next CARS event will be a cruise-in to be held in Buford the first Saturday in April 2022. Multiple cruise-ins are planned for April through September next year at Tannery Row Ale House.
For more information on the CARS Classic Auto Rides group, visit them at their future website, ClassicAutoRidesGA.com.
MAIN IMAGE: An overhead view of the Cruisin’ for a Cause Car Show held Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Buford High School. Photo courtesy of Angela Aman
