CAMDEN — By PATRIC FLANNIGAN
Staff writer
E.B. Williams Youth Center Founder Eric Gunter visited with the Camden Kiwanis Club during its weekly meeting on Thursday. He spoke to the group about the the upcoming Corvette Car Show that is scheduled to be held from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on March 24 at the old Walmart parking lot off of U.S. 278.
Gunter shared that this year’s car show will also have a light show that will be held at the Holiday Inn Express on March 23 when the sun goes down.
He introduced E.B.W.Y.C. Secretary Jenifer Haynie-Brown before delving into the history of the car show. The E.B.W.Y.C. “Kidz Runnin the Show” Corvette Car Show is in its fourth year and has grown in attendance each year. In 2017, attendance took a minor hit because of a storm. But Gunter stated that there is a lot of excitement about this year’s event. Historically, the show has welcomed people from all around the nation who have entered their Corvettes in the competition, and it ends with a parade of Corvettes throughout the city of Camden in which the children are able to be passengers.
The show is expecting 100-150 Corvettes this year and all classes from C-1 to C-7, stock and modified cars. D.J. Andre “5’9” Romby will play music throughout the event. There will be refreshments, goodie bags and door prizes for the participants and a multitude of categories that will be judged.
Gunter explained that the difference between this Corvette Show and others is the personal aspect and the children being able to be a part of everything. The show is judged by experienced staff members who are shadowed by the youth from the center. He stated that the people who attend are often very complimentary of the city, the children from the center and Camden Police Officer L.C. Buckshot Smith. The children from the center are active in organizing the cars, speaking with the participants and even selecting the winners in the “Kids Choice” categories.
Gunter said one of the main purposes of the youth center is to teach children about responsibility and showing initiative.
“Every year, we want to get them more involved,” Gunter shared. “They have been learning a lot… I told them in the future I want them to be able to do what I’m doing right now (addressing a crowd).”
The proceeds raised from the car show will go towards the EBWYC’s “Gift of Progression” program, which allows from the group to supply backpacks of school supplies to area children that are in need. In its first year, the EBWYC was able to provide 25 backpacks of school supplies to the students in the group. However, last year, the group was able to provide 150 backpacks to children that aren’t even in the group.
To find out more about the EBWYC and its cars show, visit its Facebook Page at “EBWYC 4th Annual ‘KIDZ Runnin’ the Show’ Corvette Car Show.”