Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Car show gives back to soldier
DOWNINGTOWN >> The fourth annual Car Show and Community Day became a time of giving back and a time of thanks to a soldier.
The show was recently held at the Technical College High School (TCHS) Brandywine Campus, which partnered with the Recycling Rides program, and presented Sgt. Tiffany Rowan with a refurbished 2012 Nissan Sentra by 3D Auto Body and Collision Centers.
Rowan, of Bethlehem, is a 12year member of the United States Army Reserve. She has been deployed to Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Her fiancé, Vernon McLucas, is a veteran of the New York Army National Guard, after serving his six-year contract. For both, the transition from active duty to civilian life has been challenging. Because of that, she expressed gratitude for the car.
“We’ve had some hard times since we came back getting acclimated to being civilians,” Rowan said. “It’s been very difficult. I am really excited about the car.”
The winners from the car show were a 1931 Ford AA Mail Truck/ James T. Horn of Coatesville, first; 1940 Buick Super Coupe/Jeff Rice of Downingtown, second; and 1964 Ford 500 XL Convertible/ Gordon Fry of Glen Mills in third.
According to TCHS Brandywine representatives, about 1,000 people attended the Recycled Rides ceremony. Activities included building and classroom tours, and services provided by area businesses and TCHS program instructors, face painting and food prepared by the TCHS Brandywine culinary arts students.
The event was coordinated by Kate Viggiano, administrative assistant to TCHS Principal Frank McKnight, and Mark Serfass, TCHS Pickering instructor.
“There was a great turnout,” Viggiano said. “The show is a scholarship fundraiser as well as a community day and open house to highlight the entire school and all of the programs we have to offer them.”
“It was another opportunity to see all the great things students are doing in career and technical education,” TCHS Brandywine Assistant Principal Dave Purdy said. “It was a great day for our local businesses, our sponsors, community members, our staff and students to come together and have a good time, plus allow us to promote the building.”
The car show is sponsored and supported by 3D Auto Collision Centers, ABRA Auto Body and Glass, Black Horse Auto Body Supply, Valspar, Coatesville Youth Initiative, Fast Signs, Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, the Chester County Intermediate Unit Practi-
cal Nursing Program and Universal Technical Institute.
According to event organizers, participating organizations included Geico Insurance and the time and materials for Rowan’s car were donated by Fred
Beans Parts of Doylestown, Wensel’s Repair of Spring City, Lehigh Valley Bumper of Allentown, LKQ Corp. of Philadelphia, Keystone Automotive of Philadelphia and Chuck’s Auto Salvage of Douglassville. These groups worked in conjunction with 3D’s Spring City facility to restore the 24,000-mile Nissan to factory condition.
“I feel privileged to be allowed
to do this,” said 3D owner Dave Niestroy.
The Recycled Rides program was developed by the National Auto Body Council in 2007. The program brings together insurers, collision repair experts, paint suppliers, parts vendors and other collaborators to repair and donate vehicles to deserving individuals and service organizations.