Login | Staff | Feedback | Customer Service | RSS | Advertise | Subscriber Services
customer service

HomeNewsLocal news

Snazzy cars dot Community School grounds for Red Cross benefit


STORY TOOLS
Share on Facebook

A sleek red Ferrari F430 Spider, a spotless yellow Lamborghini, and a sporty SLR McLaren were just a few of the snazzy cars that came purring onto the Community School of Naples campus Saturday.

On a blustery day, the North Naples private school hosted the exhibit as a fundraiser. The event was put on by the CSN Disaster Relief Club, a group of 30 students who came together to raise money for the American Red Cross Collier County chapter’s Hero Campaign.

Gannon Vanscoy, the club’s president, was chiefly responsible for getting the group organized and arranging to hold the car show. It wasn’t his first benefit.

After raising more than $64,000 with a previous Red Cross fundraiser while living in Pittsburgh, Vanscoy was motivated to give it another go after moving to Naples.

“The last fundraiser really inspired me to help people out through fun events like this,” he said. “There are a lot of people coming out today. We’ve got some really awesome cars here.”

Vanscoy was assisted in the endeavor by his fellow students, Carson Weinand and Taylor Kloustin, the club’s chief coordinator and vice president, respectively.

“I just think this is a great club, and I find it really interesting that we’re pretty much two-thirds girls and the theme is cars,” Kloustin said with a laugh. “I’m really proud to be vice president of this club. Gannon and I are both new to this school and we were able to bond over this.”

Local BMW and Audi dealerships brought cars to display, but many of the vehicles present were registered in the show by private owners, including several rare and exotic automobiles.

Among these was a 1974 Checker Taxi parked there in the lot, still advertising its cheap fare from days past.

There was a white 1962 Lincoln Continental, featuring the rounded hood of the vintage model. A classic 1942 Willys MB U.S. Army Jeep from World War II was stationed on the grass, emblazoned with a white star on the hood.

One of the car owners present was Kim Pemberton, president of the Naples Ferrari Club, who brought his red ‘74 Ferrari 308 GTS for the occasion.

More than 10 of his fellow club members brought their Ferraris as well.

“Generally, if we can do anything to help out anybody that’s raising money for charity we try to help them out,” Pemberton said.

While some guests milled around discussing the cars, others took time to sign up for a silent auction to be held later in the afternoon and purchased tickets for a raffle.

A DJ played music that contended with the strong gusts of wind, and guests ate Chick-fil-A under the threat of having their french fries blown out of their hands.

The car show was scheduled from noon to 4 p.m., with members of the Disaster Relief Club selling T-shirts and accepting donations at their booth throughout.

“These students were actually the youngest group of people that were involved to support the American Red Cross in this county,” said Dr. Gordon Vanscoy, Gannon’s father. “The beauty in it is seeing these kids doing this with nothing in it for them. It’s so nice to see them occupied doing good things.”

Contact Richard Ferrara at richferrara@gmail.

Comments

This site does not necessarily agree with comments posted below. Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. Break our rules, and we will ban you. No exceptions, no second chances. Read our privacy policy & user agreement.




Post your comment
(Requires free registration.)

Username:

Password:
(Forgotten your password?)

Your Turn:


Clear

Currently: 52 °

Partly Sunny
Hi: 77° | Low: 52° | Humidity: 71%
Wind: NE at 12 mph
More weather » | Tide Charts »
Email the Governor

Love it, hate it, think the state should wait? Governor Charlie Crist has been getting an earful about the plan to lease Alligator Alley. Now's your turn. Tell the Governor how you feel! »

Swimsuit Edition 2008

It’s with great pleasure that we introduce Swimsuit 2008, our third annual swimwear edition. We take pride in the fact that all models involved are from right here in our community. This is where they live, work and play. Check it out! »

NIE Cruise Contest

Newspapers in Education provides newspapers, lessons, Web site activities and links for local schools and homes. Donate newspapers to kids and earn a chance at a four-night cruise for two in the Caribbean! »

    Since March 6, coyotes have been fingered in a string of attacks against dogs, cats and goats in Lee and Collier counties. Coyotes have killed three small dogs, injured three others, and caused a man who came into contact with the coyote’s saliva and a woman who was bitten by one to have rabies shots.