Whether they’re revving their engines or showcasing model cars, the Carter County Car Club has one goal in mind – supporting the children in the community.
The goal was ever apparent Wednesday afternoon as members of the club descended upon the Elizabethton Wal-Mart to purchase toys for the annual partnership with the Salvation Army’s Christmas Angel Tree program.
With a successful 2016 season under their belts, the local group was able to raise $4,500 to go toward purchasing towards for their angels from the tree located inside Wal-Mart.
“You have an energy you’re running on and it feels great to help others,” Bob Livingston, Carter County Car Club president, said. “We’ve been truly blessed to be able to do this. This is about our fifth or sixth year we’ve been able to do this. We used to do just do the bicycle program but then we got into doing the Angel Tree.”
Members of the group maneuvered their way through the store, using the funds raised to purchase items, which will be distributed to the kids the club had picked from the tree after funds were raised by different car show events.
“The cruise-ins are where we are able to raise this money,” Livingston said. “People come through and give donations. That’s how we’re able to do this. With the contests we have and other things. It works out real good. The people are very supportive. When they see the Angel Tree logo on the barrels, they don’t hesitate to come over.”
Smiles were had by all as toys were rung up at the cash register. Once purchased, toys were then placed inside a truck provided by the Salvation Army – which will delivered the toys to be packaged and delivered to children.
“They are amazing,” Laura Springer of the Salvation Army said about the Carter County Car Club. “They help out year after year. They always adopt multiple angels … they’ve been a great blessing to us.
“It is very exciting when you see groups in the community that want to come out and want to help,” she continued. “They genuinely want to do the best they can to make sure these children have a good Christmas. It’s phenomenal.”
The Angel Tree program is always one of the highlights of the year, according to Springer.
“The Salvation Army services three counties, Washington County, Carter County and Unicoi County,” she said. “The goal is to reach out and help children that are typically below the poverty level. A lot of these families … this is their Christmas. Sometimes the parents just need a little extra help and for some, this is it.”
With Christmas around the bend, the Salvation Army member added that there’s still time to support the children of the region.
“We actually have our distribution date next week,” Springer said. “Friday is our last day to return angels. However, we still have angels that need to be adopted. We have at least a hundred on our Angel Tree at the mall in Johnson City. We also have the location here at the Elizabethton Wal-Mart that has a handful of angels left on the tree. At this time, if they are unable to adopt an angel but still want to contribute, it was be a blessing for them just to go out and purchase a toy. We use those toys to fill boxes for angels that weren’t adopted.”
For more information, contact the Salvation Army at (423) 926-2101.