The Lloydminster Motor Club held its annual Summer Send Off Charity Car Show this past Sunday and raised $3,000 to split between two local non-profits. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
For some, it’s not over until the fat lady sings, but for many local and area car enthusiasts, the summer didn’t officially end until the Lloydminster Motor Club (LMC) hosted its annual Summer Send Off Charity Car Show.
Held on Sept. 18 in the parking lot of the Lloydminster Exhibition, the annual charity show brings the custom car and truck community together for a day of fun in the sun, all while raising money for local non-profit organizations.
A non-profit itself, the LMC decided funds from this year’s show were to be split between the GOAT’s Christmas Wish and the Lloydminster Community Youth Centre. A total of $3,000 was raised with $1,500 going to each organization.
For Randy Marsh, head honcho of the LMC, raising $3,000 to split between two very deserving organizations was something to be proud of, but what really impressed him was this year’s attendance.
“We were here early setting up and came back around 9:30 a.m. and already had people lined up to register their vehicles for the show,” said Marsh.
“We had 88 registered vehicles before we started and had some stragglers come in last minute, but when everything was all said and done, we had 103 vehicles participating in the show.
“There’s a bunch of military vehicles, there’s an old Maserati out there, there’s a new Maserati out there, Filmwise and Ulmer Chevrolet brought some of their vehicles out, the youth centre brought their truck with a bunch of information, the GOAT brought their GTO Judge, and the Border Paws Animal Shelter, previously known as the Lloydminster SPCA, was out here as well with information as well as a couple of puppies that are up for adoption.”
The LMC has been around for roughly eight years and this was its sixth season-ender show. With giving back top of mind, Marsh explained why this year’s donation recipients were deserving of funding.
“We like to help out the GOAT’s Christmas Wish because every time I hear about it on the radio I instantly cry,” he said with a laugh.
“With the youth centre, we actually worked with them a couple of years ago and hosted a season opener show at their location.
“The youth centre is right by my house, and every time I would head to work I would see they still had a Lloydminster Motor Club sticker on their van, and it inspired me to want to help them out again.”
Marsh also noted the club started the day with a $500 donation from Mike’s Oilfield Services, which was a great launching point.
“We were really grateful for that, and it’s been increasing from there,” he said.
“We’ve had the silent auction going like mad as well. There were actually a few items I forgot to bring today, so we’ll be doing auctions through Facebook for those items soon, and funds from those sales will also be split between the two charities.”
A summer send-off crowd favourite is always the exhaust competition, and this year’s battle of the straight pipes had a special twist to it.
“We have an RCMP constable as one of our judges for the exhaust competition, which I think is hilarious in itself,” said Marsh.
“I’m probably one of the very rare tuners that likes to incorporate the RCMP in situations like this, but I think it’s important to incorporate the police because it gives an idea of what’s acceptable versus what’s not when it comes to the car scene.”
Charlene Rowein, COO of the Lloydminster Interval Home Society, the non-profit organization responsible for the youth centre, was impressed with Sunday’s turnout and appreciated the continued community support.
“Today’s been so much fun,” she said.
“Just being here, seeing the cars and listening to the rumbles has been great, but it’s always nice when people come out to these events knowing they want to give back to the community.
“It also helps us educate the public on the Interval Home and the youth centre in particular, and just all of the great work the facilitators do there with the kids.”
Svanni Andresen from the Border Paws Animal Shelter was also on site on Sunday and brought some furry friends with her.
“We’re out today supporting local,” she said.
“We’ve done barbecues with the motor club in the past and love working with them, and we brought some puppies with us hoping they get some attention and maybe even adopted.”
