Cars Rev Engines to Support Education

By Travis Barton | [email protected]

Vehicles of all shapes, sizes and colors not only draw the eyes of children, but they can also improve their education.

Dozens of car, motorcycle and rig owners brought their cherished possessions to the 8th Annual Rods, Hogs and Rigs Extravaganza at the Maverick Center on May 13 as a fundraiser for local elementary schools Stansbury and Hillsdale.

“It will have a critical impact on the students’ needs next year,” Robyn Roper, assistant principal at Hillsdale, said.

Both schools are Title 1 schools meaning they qualify for the federally funded program that provides additional funds to schools with high numbers of children from low-income families.

“It was an honor putting on such a huge show for these kids knowing where the money is going” Angela Kenner, committee chair, said.

Presented by Kenworth Sales Company and Maverik Inc., the fundraiser raised the most its ever done in the eight-year history of the show with about $15,000 for the two schools.

“We were very very happy and overwhelmed,” Kenner said.

Ryper said the money will go towards the after-school programs and potentially more technology in the classroom.

The 2015 event brought in $6,000 and because of the money raised from last year’s event, Stansbury was able to keep both its after-school program and its summer school where they can pinpoint the kids in need.

“It’s amazing how it makes everyone here feel, it’s something we can actually give back to our community,” Martha Mills, corporate marketing director at Kenworth, said.

Kenworth adopted Stansbury nine years ago, adding Hillsdale as beneficiary this year.

“We were amazed that we could add a second one this year,” Mills said.

Entrants into the car show came from nearby cities as well as surrounding states. The event also included a rock climbing wall, face painting, food trucks and costumed super heroes to meet and take pictures with kids.

“As my daughter put it, ‘we’ve come a long way from a popcorn booth, a snow cone booth and playing Pandora on somebody’s cell phone’ and that was our first year,” Mills said.

The West Valley City Fire Department and the Utah Highway Patrol were also on hand to lend their support for the children.

“What was amazing was the kids could brag to their parents that this was for them [the kids],” Kenner said.

Awards for winning were even made by the children of Stansbury and Hillsdale where they painted the plaques awarded to the victors.

“They did such an amazing job because they put their heart and soul into these awards,” Kenner said. “That was their way of giving back to the show.”

The celebrity judges who determinded the winners of the car, motorcycle and truck categories were Dave Kindig from “Bitchin Rides” on Velocity TV and members from Diesel Sellerz.

Kenner said without the number of volunteers who donate their time from the parents of kids at the schools to the employees of Kenworth, they wouldn’t be able put on the show.

“Everybody that came and participated and donated money, everyone was just so willing to help us and put this together that we are just so grateful for everyone that helped,” Kenner said.

Ryper said the school was honored to be included this year and is excited for the help its provided the students of Hillsdale.

“Business partnerships really help schools financially and provide positive role models…the kids can see a lot of [Kenworth’s employees] who were former Hillsdale students themselves have made it as successful working individuals,” Ryper said.