LOCAL CLUB SPOTLIGHT

Twin Bay British Car Club chips in

The Twin Bay British Car Club enjoys typical club events – tours, car shows and social events – but the group has turned its attention towards supporting young people in need.

The TBBCC, a group of British Car enthusiasts from Traverse City, Mich., had difficulty finding the time and a location for a Christmas party each year. So the club shifted to a gala event held in January and began holding a charity auction as part of the festivities. Members located various British car treasures like parts, garments and other items they were no longer using and donated them to the auction. The event became a fun evening where they could eat, drink and spend way too much money in the interest of fun and community service.

Last January, the club raised over $2,000 and donated the proceeds to The House of Hope, an organization dedicated to helping at-risk youth.

"Through our involvement with the House of Hope, club members have a great time, interface with the community and make a difference in the lives of young people at a time when they really need it," said club president Craig Holmes. "I know of several examples where young people escaped desperate situations involving drugs, abuse and criminal activities and are now vibrant members of our community."

Two of the club's members, Lee Johnson and Ben Hentschel, have taken their involvement even farther by volunteering once a week to help young people restore a vehicle that can then be used for either further funding or necessary transportation for the program. Lee and Ben, who both have extensive mechanical backgrounds, donate several hours each week for some hands-on time restoring a CJ Jeep, a '53 Cadillac and – of course – a few old British cars donated to the program.

Lee estimates that in three years of volunteering, the club has impacted 25 young people.

"I don't want to say ‘last chance,' but we've impacted kids that were at a tipping point in their lives, helping them learn responsibility, respect and self confidence through working side by side with them," Lee said. "And what young person doesn't love cars?"

For more information about the Twin Bay British Car Club, visit www.twinbaybrits.com or call Craig Holmes at (231) 271-3660. Lee Johnson can be reached at (231) 946-9058.

Information about the House of Hope is available at www.houseofhopetc.com or by calling Harry Round at (231) 946-5350.