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Highlands Motoring Festival Donates to Local Charities
Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: Whats News
True to its founding principles, Highlands Motoring Festival donates $81,000 in proceeds from its 2021 festival to a trio of local charities.
(L-R) Linda Edwards- Community Care Clinic Steve Mehder- HMF Cindy Trevathan- REACH of Macon Co Bonnie Potts- Literacy Mark Chmar- HMF Knight Martorell- HMF
Representatives of Highlands Motoring Festival on Wednesday celebrated the completion of its wildly successful 2021 incarnation by presenting proceeds totaling $81,000 to three charities that directly serve human-needs in Highlands.
The funds raised by Highlands Motoring Festival, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit of classic car enthusiasts, will be distributed equally between The Literacy and Learning Center of Highlands, REACH of Macon County, and the Community Care Clinic.
“These organizations are our charitable partners, since they contributed volunteers and support throughout our events, and helped to recruit community support,” said Festival Co-Chair Mark Chmar. “And the festival is dedicated to raise funds for local charities that serve locals in a very real manner, so we’re happy to make these contributions.”
Over the course of its 14 years, Highlands Motoring Festival has donated over $300,000 to local causes.
This year’s festival was staged June 10-13. Stunning collector cars could be seen on Highlands streets during the four-day event, which consisted of two days of driving tours, three evening gatherings, a parade on Main Street, and two car shows.
“The centerpiece of the Motoring Festival was Saturday’s Cars in the Park juried car show that attracted our largest attendance, estimated to be upwards of 4,000 people,” said Festival Co-Chair Steve Ham. “The festival has grown significantly in stature over the years, not by increasing the number of show cars, which is limited by the capacity of Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, but by raising the level of quality of the cars by going to an invitational entry process.”
Other festival events included a Welcome Soirée at The Bascom, where over 150 guests were able to tour the Freewheeling exhibit, which featured over 40 pieces of automotive art including paintings, photographs, and sculpture.
“We’d like to thank the entire Highlands community, including citizens, volunteers, businesses organizations, and government officials and staff, without whom none of this would have been possible,” said Chmar.
