Car Club helps children get their Christmas wishes
Published 9:29 am Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Star Photo/Rebekah Price
Upcoming Car Club President Bob Livingston and club members prepare to search the aisles for children’s presents.
The last angels on the tree will have their Christmas wishes granted.
Ten shoppers from the Carter County Car Club set out Tuesday to spend $4,500 on more than 60 children whose wishes and needs still hung from the Salvation Army Angel Tree in the Elizabethton Walmart.
“Everything we raised from our cruise-ins and other events goes to Carter County children,” said member Debbie Payne.
Each child will get $75 worth of gifts in addition to presents donated at the Car Club’s annual Christmas party.
Club treasurer Trudy Brumitt said this is the largest donation the club makes to a Carter County organization.
“What the Car Club does in Carter County is one of the best-kept secrets,” said Laws. “They take time off of work and other commitments to help these children and fundraise throughout the year to make it happen.”
Salvation Army volunteer Martha Laws said the program strives to meet children’s needs by having each child list two needs and one wish.
Star Photo/Rebekah Price Treasurer Trudy Brumitt and member Debbie Payne search for clothing, which was listed as a child’s need.
The system for organizing each child’s requests has gone digital in recent years, which Laws said makes a big difference in organization. This also helps to see which children’s lists are still in the tree, so that these may be passed along to schools and churches to ensure that each registered child has gifts to open.
“The number of people contributing time and effort is unreal, it’s like watching all the pieces of a puzzle come together,” said Martha Laws, a volunteer with Salvation Army.
Gifts will be distributed along with Christmas food boxes and Food City gift cards for seniors on December 16.
