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BY STEPHEN WILSON
In 1999, VVA Chapter 582 in Chico, California,
reawakened with five members. After many questions about
our mission and how to raise money for operating costs, we
slowly organized into a group. Our first car show was the
brainchild of Les Orme, the chapter president back then.
We made some
money and that was a good start. In September, we had our
eighth People’s Choice Car Show. This one
was the best so far. It has taken time, though, because we
originally knew little about car shows. This year’s
show was our biggest money maker, with slightly over $5,000
in profits and with more than ninety vehicles entered.
How
did we do it? It was our dedication and help from a core
group of people who discovered that creating a show is rewarding.
They realized, too, that they could make a significant effort
to help local veterans of all wars.
First, we choose a location
and check on insurance, which is partially provided by VVA.
The theme is always the same: The People’s Choice Car
Show is an event in which those who attend vote on the cars
and decide the winners. We have ten categories, including
motorcycles. That makes it easier. A few people want to have
more categories, but we choose to keep it simple. There is
no admission charge.
The local
Elks Lodge donates the use of its grounds. Of course, they
sell the beer, so it’s a winner for them, too.
Our resident master woodcarver, Bob Stanley, produces the
trophies from scratch. I scrounge the rest of the materials.
We
all have specific parts to play. This year, the “tri-tip” sandwiches
were a highlight. Chapter 582’s John Herbert is responsible
for them, and he and his helpers have done it all for eight
years. His sandwiches—and his handlebar mustache—are
in the gourmet category.
Some of the factors involved in a
successful car show are:
- Registration and Awards.
- Food, including sandwiches (we made $1,000).
- Raffle: It’s the best in town and continues
all day.
- Water and soft drinks (one vendor sold root beer
floats: Delicious).
- Vendors who don’t compete with our sales
of shirts, hats, etc.
- Restrooms.
- Clean up.
We invite local sheriffs, search and rescue
personnel, firefighters, and Red Cross workers in order to
bring that world a little closer. We offer space to vendors
at low cost. They all made money.
We try to get all of our beverages and food donated.
The community is often willing to help. All the donors for
our raffle gifts are sent thank-you letters. We always try
to acknowledge them in our show program, too. For the first
time this year, we sold advertising: Two ads raised a little
over $1,000.
We had to advertise on the radio and television,
but a local business gave us a great deal on radio spots
a few weeks before the show. We sent a press release to the
local newspaper and, of course, to all community bulletin
boards.
Although
I was told the cars were wonderful, I didn’t
really get a chance to take a long look at them because there
was a lot of action going on behind the scenes. Last year
I was the emcee. I didn’t know I was going to do that
until someone shoved a mike in my hands and I welcomed people
to the show.
We always open with the National Anthem, this
year sung by one of our own. At that moment, we face the
flag and think about why we are all there.
Every one of these tasks is simple, but when we join together
as a team, we take responsibility for each other and for
the chapter. It’s a little like being on a mission.
Curiously,
a car that never made it to the show won first place. It’s
all straightened out now but I still am wondering who picked
up that first-place trophy. The guy washed the engine the
night before and was pre-registered. But he couldn’t
get it started the morning of the show.
So,
yes, there are screw-ups every year. We learn by our mistakes,
though, and learn to streamline our efforts. Next year’s
show will be on September 12. You’re all
invited.
With our proceeds we have been able to provide small
loans to veterans in need. The loans have always been repaid.
We have provided money to help with veterans’ claims
and veterans in need. We just passed a resolution that our
outreach efforts will include providing heating fuel. Additionally,
we are proud to support a VVA-certified Veterans Service
Adviser. This year we will “adopt” a few military
families and treat them to a better Christmas. This is our
community and we are proud to serve. Our car-show fundraiser
helps make our contributions possible.
When it’s all
over, we treat ourselves to a pizza party at one of the local
hangouts. The pizza is great and the chapter is buying (except
for beer, of course). No doubt, that party also will be our
first planning meeting for the 2009 show.
Just one more thing: This year we took a cue from
the VFW’s
poppy drive and had our own Black Clover Drive. In three
days we raised over $3,000. All it requires is enough people
to sit near grocery store entrances, mall entrances, and
the ever-present Wal-Mart and chat. We meet lots of nice
people. They busily pass by, but most remember to give us
their change.
Stephen Wilson can be reached at zashiban@sbcglobal.net
National
At-large Director Tony Catapano conducted the fundraising
seminar at the VVA National Leadership Conference. We asked
him to offer advice to VVA chapters and state councils on
the fine points of fundraising. Here are his suggestions:
- Use “Vietnam
Veterans of America,” our
full name, rather than “VVA,” which most people
do not know.
- Remember to say that we are a non-profit organization
and that all donations are tax deductible.
- Ask a local business
to sponsor your fundraiser.
- At a membership drive
table, prominently display your chapter banner to let the
public know who you are; call the national office and ask
for free handouts, and put out as many as the table will
hold.
- Work in shifts at the fundraising table to keep
fresh faces before the public.
- Wear chapter shirts, jackets, and
caps.
- Put out a donation can and
mark it with your chapter logo.
- Make sure you have membership packages on hand, including
copies of The VVA Veteran.
- Everyone at the table should look
clean, and there should be no drinking, eating, reading,
or weapons on display.
- Chapter
members should stand up to meet the public. Remember to
smile and make eye contact.
- Have a free item to
give away, such as a small American flag lapel pin; give
the free stuff to the kids, and the parents or grandparents
will follow.
If you have questions or suggestions
about chapter fundraising, email Tony Catapano at tcatapano@vva.org
Just before Chapter 582’s California
Car Show, there was another one much closer to Motor City.
On August 23, four VVA Michigan chapters—Ann Arbor
Chapter 310, Plymouth Chapter 528, Westland Chapter 387,
and Monroe Chapter 142—joined
forces with the United Auto Workers Region 1A Veterans and
the Motor City Muscle Car Club to put on a huge car show.
Nearly two hundred vintage, restored, and modified vehicles
were on display. There were door prizes, trophies, music,
auction items, food, and refreshments. VVA 2007 Member of
the Year John Kinzinger of Chapter 310 joined Ann Arbor VAMC
Director Lou Atkins to present the Best of the Show trophy.
Proceeds
from the 2008 Car Show for Vets totaled $25,000. That money
was donated to the Ann Arbor VAMC for special patient comfort
projects.
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©2006-
2011, Vietnam Veterans of America. All Rights Reserved. 8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910