By Henry Luzzatto

Correspondent

Most church fundraisers take the shape of bake sales, car washes, or yard sales, but at New Piney Wood Chapel in Gates County, N.C., the congregation has gone a different route. For the last four years, New Piney Wood Chapel has held an annual car show.

On Saturday, the church will do so for the fourth year in a row.

Frank Cross Jr., who has run the show with Pastor Richard L. Curry since its inception, says that the idea came from seeing other churches and their fundraisers. “Most churches have an annual way to raise money for celebrations at church,” he said. The car show seemed like a unique way to engage the community and help the church at the same time.

“The show is a fundraiser for Men’s Day,” Cross explained.

The car show offers a chance for the people of Gates County and the surrounding area to see automobiles of many different makes and models, purchase items from vendors, and raise money for the church’s cause. The event is free for the public to attend.

Any car can be entered into the show for a $15 entry fee. The cars are scrutinized by a judge, who chooses winners for each category of automobile. Winners are chosen, and a trophy is awarded at the end of the day, Cross said.

Though the cars take center stage, vendors can rent tables to sell goods — but not food — for $10. Fish and chicken dinners will be sold by the church for $8 each.

The car show will run from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The church is located at 1109 Drum Hill Road, Gates, N.C.

For more information, call Frank Cross Jr., at 359-1542.