The parking lot at Hamburg Area High School looked a bit different than usual on Sunday, May 18. A full lot on a Sunday is far from typical, but even if it was a weekend the cars in the lot were not those that one would see even on a school day. Students and the community came together for a car and motorcycle for a good cause.
The Hamburg Area High School National Honor Society hosted ‘Vehicles for Vets’ with proceeds benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project.
‘I am always proud of my students when they put the needs of others in the forefront,’ said Michelle Cinicola, National Honor Society advisor.
It was the students who decided what type of event they wanted to hold and who took care of the organizing though it was a first for most of them when it came to organizing and running a car show.
‘Each year I ask the students what they want to do for service. The events need to be something that the students are interested in, otherwise they will not participate,’ said Cinicola. ‘Several boys in our National Honor Society wanted to run a car show and the benefit for the Wounded Warrior Project came along after members helped with our annual Veteran’s Day breakfast in November and though it would be a good cause for the funds we raised.’
Last year the group held a 5K race and hair donations event called ‘Endure for a Cure.’ That event benefited the American Cancer Society and Locks of Love. Cinicola commented that the group was passionate about those causes last year and this year the passion was for the Wounded Warrior Project.
‘All money raised will go to the Wounded Warrior Project,’ said Cinicola. She added that the group plans to give at least $5,500 to the organization.
‘Planning took lots of hard work. We had several committees working on different parts of the plan: registration committee, food committee, basket raffle committee and advertising committee to name a few,’ said Cinicola.
There were a total of 95 cars and 14 motorcycles at the event which also featured food, gift basket raffles, music, 50/50 raffle, bake sale and a table for the Wounded Warrior Project.
‘The turnout was great for a first time effort,’ she said. ‘Some registrants made a few suggestions, but the feedback was great!’
Awards were given in each of the categories and included a judged award, people’s choice award and soldier’s choice bet in show award.
