Over the past 15 years, The Woodlands Car Club has raised more than $100,000 for local nonprofit organizations by participating in and hosting charity-driven events.
The Woodlands Car Club was formed in 2001 by a local group of auto enthusiasts including Dana Pritchard, co-owner of The Woodlands Performance & Suspension.
“Our motto is, ‘Using our cars to give back to the community,’ so everything The Woodlands Car Club does ties into a local nonprofit organization,” Pritchard said.
The main way the club achieves its goal is through the Cars & Coffee for a Cause monthly event, which is a partnership between the car club and Market Street’s Change for Charity initiative. Through the program, Market Street collects the change from 68 voluntary curbside parking meters on Market Street at the end of each quarter and chooses four Montgomery County nonprofit organizations to support with those collections throughout the year.
On the first Sunday of each month, the car club puts on a display at Market Street and invites representatives from the chosen nonprofit to hand out information and speak to spectators about their organization. The car club collects the money donated during the shows and, at the end of each quarter, Market Street and the car club present two checks to the nonprofit.
“Market Street is proud to host such a civic-minded group,” Market Street Marketing Director Noemi Gonzalez said. “Their donations have helped to make a difference in the lives of many here in Montgomery County.”
In 2015, the club donated a total of $2,000 to four nonprofits: the Humane Society of Montgomery County, Community Partners of Montgomery County, Conroe ISD Education Foundation and the Tamina Community Center.
Since 2008, Cars & Coffee for a Cause has raised more than $10,000 for nonprofit organizations. The next Cars & Coffee for a Cause will take place from 8-11 a.m. Sept. 4 and will benefit Bikers Against Child Abuse.
The club also helps raise money by displaying cars at local events, such as the Bombshell Car Exhibit on Aug. 20. Southern Star Brewing Company in Conroe will host the event, which will benefit Montgomery County Youth Services.
“It’s very important to contribute back to the community that we live in any way that we possibly can,” Pritchard said. “If you have a little, give a little. It’s important for us to do that. Using our cars to give back to the community is just a win-win for everybody.”
9595 Six Pines Drive, The Woodlands 281-363-2977 www.marketstreet-thewoodlands.com
