Inaugural car show to raise money for Habitat house

Progress continues on the Putnam County Habitat for Humanity's construction project at 208 S. Third St. in Bainbridge. The inaugural Habitat for Humanity Building Dreams Car, Truck and Bike Show will be held Saturday at the Bainbridge Community Center to raise funds for the project. Banner Graphic/AMANDA JUNK

BAINBRIDGE -- Brian Lathrop owns and collects a lot of cars, so when he was looking for ways to raise money for Putnam County Habitat for Humanity, a benefit car show seemed like a natural fit.

The inaugural Habitat for Humanity Building Dreams Car, Truck and Bike Show will be held Saturday at the Bainbridge Community Center, located at 105 W. Main St.

Registration is from 9 a.m. to noon for the show running from noon to 4 p.m. Awards and prizes will be distributed at 4 p.m.

"(Habitat) thrives on being able to help families. It gives them the ability to own homes when otherwise they can't," Brian Lathrop, a member of the Habitat for Humanity board of directors, said. "This is another way to raise money to do so."

Lathrop said he has plans to work on the Habitat house in Bainbridge, located at 208 S. Third St., on Saturday during the time of the event.

He also said a lot of local businesses in Greencastle have donated materials for door prizes, including North Salem State Bank, which is sponsoring trophies provided by John's Trophies and Awards in Crawfordsville.

The entry fee for the event is $10. There will be dash plaques for the first 50 entries; a total of 10 trophies will be awarded.

Lathrop said depending on the turnout, awards would be given for top car, truck and bike, as well as prizes for People's Choice, Habitat Board Member's pick and potential categories for top pre-'1950s, '50s and '60s model cars.

While he cannot anticipate the turnout for the event, Lathrop said he's hoping for 100 car entries; as of early this week he has already received dozens of phone calls from community members of who have expressed interest in the event.

"I'm hoping we'll have a profitable lump sum of money for this house," he said.

There will also be a DJ service on hand for live music throughout the event, as well as door prizes.

Prizes from a 50/50 drawing include gift cards to local restaurants. There will also be a raffle for a Stihl weed eater, Lathrop said.

For more information about Putnam County Habitat for Humanity, visit www.pchhin.org