Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

BY NIC MILLER
STAR STAFF
nic.miller@elizabethton.com

The Carter County Car Club recently donated $5,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Elizabethton, allowing the club to sponsor several of their members for this Christmas season.

It’s one of several gifts the car club made in an effort to support the community.

“We support the Boys and Girls Club each year, and that organization is not the only one as there is a list of several local charities that we support,” said Randy Payne, a member of the car club. “Our total donation money raised this year was $26,268 and we disperse that into all of those charities.”

Those charities include The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Carter County Schools Accelerated Reader Program, Kids Like Us, Shop With a Cop, Friends Down Syndrome Program, and Isaiah 117 House.

“Most of us are retired people within the community, and it really blesses the organization as well as the people within the organization to help those that need help. We thank everyone who contributes to the car club and helps us do what we do each year,” Payne said.

The group tries to reach as many organizations as possible. “A club member may know someone with Down Syndrome or attended the Boys and Girls Club when they were younger, so we want to help make sure that everyone can prosper,” said Payne.

The Carter County Car Club has a rich history of helping within the community. “The car club started in 1982 and initially supported the rescue squad service, which was the only funding they used to receive. It has grown tremendously to all of these charities, and we appreciate everyone who comes downtown and supports our cause to help others,” said Payne.

The Carter County Car Club will go before the City Council next year to determine what Saturdays in 2022 will be available for weekly downtown cruise-ins.