The Carter County Car Club isn’t just about cars.
During the group’s meeting Monday at the Ron E. Street Cafe in downtown Elizabethton, members of the Salvation Army stopped by to present the organization with an “Above & Beyond” plaque to thank the local group for their service within the community.
“I love cars, I’m sitting in awe just being in here,” Capt. Mike Cox said to members of the Carter County Car Club. “I had an opportunity to stop by and see a car show and I think it is great the way you guys are taking advantage of using downtown. Most importantly, you guys take full advantage of taking care of the community. You bring the community downtown and do a tremendous job of supporting the community. People like you are the reason why the Salvation Army can be as successful as it is. There’s no way possible we can serve the children and families in Carter County without people like you.”
Mike and his wife, Laura, were both on hand to share their gratitude with the members.
“It is great to have this opportunity to come out and meet with the Carter County Car Club,” Capt. Laura Cox said. “We have such a strong relationship with them. They always do a great job of helping us out throughout the Christmas season to help children in the area.”
Throughout the months, citizens and visitors alike will see Historic Downtown Elizabethton lined with various model cars and motorcycles with car shows organized by the Carter County Car Club.
With president Bob Livingston unable to make it Monday. Vice president O.B. Foster led the meeting and said the club enjoys giving back to the community.
“We give so much money to buy toys,” Foster said. “We actually go to Wal-Mart ourselves and buy the toys and clothes for the kids. I think last year we were able to spend over $3,000 for children last year. Along with the Salvation Army, we work with several other charities to do what we can for the kids.”
The Carter County Car Club is the second county organization the Salvation Army has provided thanks to, with the group recently stopping by the Citizens Bank to give thanks.
The Salvation Army is coming off their fourth annual Festival of Tables event that was held at the Johnson City Country Club. While numbers are currently unavailable at this time, the group raised over $15,000 to help over 2,700 children in Carter, Unicoi and Washington counties. Last year, over 800 children came from Carter County.
It is the support from the local organizations that help the organization experience success, both Laura and Mike said following the presentation.
But at the end of the day, Foster said, it is about the community coming together to help the kids in need.
“It’s amazing to see the support,” he added. “Our people go out and raise the money for the kids. It is incredible. We’ve been helping kids now for quite some time. That’s always our main charity, to help children.“