Edmee CR Hasler
Contributing writer
A fundraiser to benefit Family Service of Roanoke Valley will be held on Saturday, May 11 at the Salem Civic Center parking lot.
The first show was held in May 2021 and the response from the public was “simply amazing, drawing nearly 150 vehicles and over 1,000 attendees” commented Jill Sluss, organizer. Each year since, the car show has attracted over thousands of people that come to not only admire the cars and trucks and bikes but also to listen to music and do activities with the kids. “We also have delicious food vendors, other vendors, activities for the kids, and a raffle with amazing prizes donated by local businesses,” Sluss addes
The cost to enter a vehicle in the show is $30 and participants can choose for their vehicle to be judged or not. Participants receive free tee-shirts and award winners receive plaques and trophies to keep.
Besides the car show, attendees will have the opportunity to get pampered.
“This year, we wanted to do something a little different for mothers/grandmothers, so we have created a “Mom and Me Boutique” that will take place inside the Salem Civic Center from 10 a.m- 3p.m. in Parlor C.
Cosmetology students from Salem High School will be doing curling and straightening hair styles. Carrie Ferguson of Massage Box Massage Therapy and Amber Mitchell of GlamHouse Day Spa will be offering chair massages.
Other participants in the “Mom and Me Boutique,” include Missy Lynch Altice of ManisMadeEasy/Color Street, and Patrice Freeland of the Wonderful Land of Oils. They will be doing product demonstrations. Color Me Beautiful with Rita will be there with makeup; and Kyle Edgell will be creating her one-of-a-kind masterpieces for as many mothers/grandmothers as possible. Teens and young children are also welcome. All services are available at a nominal fee or by donation.
The FSRV bike, car and truck show benefits Family Service of Roanoke Valley. “We have existed for 123 years. We serve more than 2,000 individuals annually,” affirmed Sluss.
FSRV services include:
- Counseling for all ages. This includes child-centered play therapy for children ages 2-10. “Play is the language that children use to communicate when words cannot be spoken. This is particularly helpful for children who have experienced trauma,” Sluss said.
- Youth development programs for elementary, middle and high school students both in schools and in after-school programs. This includes theTeen Outreach Program (TOP), in which “we have youth development specialists who are mentors to the teens” Sluss said.
- Public Guardianship program for those 18 and older who have no one else in their life who can help them make their important life decisions.
- Personal Affairs Management program for those 18 and older. “We manage finances for individuals so that they will remain safely housed and do not become homeless,” Sluss explained.
- Healthy Relationship Groups for those who need help with anger management and/or have a history of using violence with their partners.
- Family Support Services provide peer-to-peer support, education and encouragement to those working through mental health, substance abuse and/or trauma recovery.
The event takes place on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Salem Civic Center. The show raises between $12,000-15000.
