Car show raises funds for Pineland youth

Published 10:00 am Monday, May 8, 2017

LaGRANGE – Pyne Road Park was packed with cars and onlookers on Saturday, as the sheriff held his eigth annual car show to benefit the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Home better known in the community as Pineland.

With 108 entries in this year’s show, Sheriff James Woodruff was left with the unenviable choice of which car, truck or jeep should win first prize, but even as the auction at the show went on, it was clear to see that that last pound cake that went for $100 was more about supporting the cause then any of the parts.

“Last year we took the money that we raised and used it to buy a used car for the young men that have a part time job or are going to after school activities,” said Woodruff. “I think it is important to show the people that give money what we are doing with it. It is not just a check, but we are actually doing something tangible.

“This year we have decided that we want to restock the lake at Pineland for the boys that are there, so that they can fish, but not only that. There used to be every year they’d have a fishing rodeo for kids that normally don’t get to go fishing. We pick a Saturday and let them come out and fish all day, and we want to do that again once we get the lake stocked. So, it will be for the boys who are at Pineland, but also for the community, but none of that would be possible without these people bringing their cars out. Without the citizens showing up, buying raffle tickets, participating in the auction, entering a car, and helping us in some way to raise this money, so it is a total community event.”

And the community filled the parking lot and the grass lawn near the large boat ramp where the event was held as move cars kept coming to enter right up until the noon cutoff.

“I feel like there was good turnout,” said Lieutenant Jeff Duran, who noted that all the items for the auction were donated to support the cause.

To learn more about the Georgia Sheriffs’ Pineland home or donate visit www.georgiasheriffsyouth.org/locations/pineland-camp-pioneer