The
Windham Raymond Athletic Booster Club is ready for its 20th annual
auto show, which will be held this Sunday behind Hannaford at the Windham Mall.
There will be 29 categories of cars, trucks and special interest vehicles. It’s
one of those don’t miss events.
This
year cars will register on Sunday starting at 7 a.m. with a suggested cost of
$5 per car. All proceeds will benefit the athletic teams in Windham and
Raymond. Awards will be presented around 1:30 p.m. Spectators are invited
between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 per adult, $3 for students and seniors
and children 5 and under are free. The event will take place rain or shine. There
will be plenty of fair food available to purchase.
Being
the 20th year of the car show, coordinator Dan McGowan decided to
bring back coordinators from past years to revamp the show to create the
fundraiser it should be, he said.
His
fellow coordinator of the auto show is Debbie Schkrioba, who was in charge of
the show in 2009. “We want to go back to
the original format and transfer knowledge to the new boosters, who didn’t have
experience with a show. We’re bringing back old boosters to make this a viable
fundraiser,” Schkrioba said.
“The
atmosphere is to see older cars all souped-up and refurbished. With vintage
cars, they are remembering their childhood days,” said McGowan.
This
fundraiser in the past has helped to provide each team at the high school and
middle schools with a $500 stipend for equipment or things like refs, coaches
and training. The money has to be approved through the athletic director Rich
Drummond. Booster money has also helped with purchasing wrestling mats, sheds
for the golf team and ski trips for the ski team. In past years, the boosters
worked to get the baseball team new dugouts and the swim team purchased
bleachers to have extra seating at meets. The boosters also provide four
scholarships to senior athletes. “We try to be even,” said McGowan.
“It
supplements the athletic budget. It supplements things they couldn’t have,”
said Schkrioba.
At
some schools each sport has its own booster organization, but in Windham
Raymond, the boosters support all teams. Money earned at booster events go into
a general fund, said McGowan. “It’s all for one, and one for all,” he added.
The
auto show has been helped by local auto mechanic Frank Jimino, who although he has
no children in the school, he has been coordinating the judging since the
beginning.
“None
of this would be possible without Frank Jiminio,” said Schkrioba. “By no means
could any of the boosters have done it,” she added.
This
year in recognition for all of his efforts, the best in show trophy has been
renamed to the Frank Jimino/Lorriane Jordan best in show. Lorraine Jordan was
one of the first organizers of the auto show.
The
show has changed locations for the last few years. However, they have found a
place that works for them behind the Windham Mall.
The
Windham Raymond Athletic Boosters Club is an all volunteer club.
“It’s
all made possible by parents who volunteer hours,” said McGowan. “The car show
is all run by parent volunteers and fall athletes all donating their time.”
Sponsors
for the auto show are Napa, Windham Weaponry, Paul White Tile. From large to
small business the support from the local community has been great, said
McGowan. There will also be raffles and a 50/50 raffle.
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