The Highway 43 Car Club is at it again, supporting local charities and doubling its donations from last year. The Club has existed proudly for 16 years, and one of its founding principles – besides acting as a social club and a means to keep the automotive hobby alive and well – is to give back to the community with both time and funds.
The Club survived the COVID-19 pandemic, but felt the impacts just as many other organizations did. The Club runs on a model of fundraising, and then donating the proceeds to local charities. Because their fundraising efforts were halted by necessity during the worst periods of the pandemic, there were less dollars to give away last year, but that didn’t stop the Club from making two $250 donations to the Salvation Army in Kemptville and the Community Food Share in Winchester.
In the past year, fundraising and membership have ramped up again, and the Club was proud to be able to give $500 to each of these two organizations this year.
Over the years, the Club has also proudly supported other organizations and events such as the Children’s Wish Foundation, the Kemptville Youth Centre, Winchester DairyFest, and the Merrickville Youth Group. “A big part of the Highway 43 Car Club’s goals is to actively support charities and organizations within our community,” reads a statement on the organization’s website.
“We had a better year than last,” said Club Vice President Kevan Whittaker. “More sponsors stepped up to help us out. We had a Mustang cooler that we raffled off. We also held a Swap Meet that brought in money.”
It’s not only fundraising that distinguishes the Highway 43 Car Club as a dedicated service organization. Members also volunteer their time to make a positive community impact. “This year, we visited six retirement homes which put smiles on the residents’ faces,” Kevan explained. “We also celebrated our 15th Anniversary of Cruise Nights. Our Club membership has grown over the last few months and we’re looking forward to next season, bigger and better!”
The Club is very visible in Kemptville, where Cruise Nights are held over the spring and summer months on Friday evenings in the Food Basics parking lot. Antique cars and muscle cars fill the parking lot on these nights, attracting the attention of people of all ages. To learn more about the Club or how to join, visit its website at https://hwy43carclub.com/.
