Dawn M. Kurry

Richmond County Daily Journal

Rockingham Dragway, in collaboration with local car and bike clubs, will host a charity event on Sept. 4 to benefit the Baker House homeless shelter and soup kitchens in Rockingham and Hamlet. The Baker House is the only homeless shelter for men in Richmond County, and houses 30 men each winter.

The event will feature show cars and bikes, drag racing in two classes, live bands and activities for kids.

Rockingham Dragway owner Steve Earwood said all profits, including those from concessions, will be donated. He said because he and his staff were blessed with a good season, he feels the obligation as responsible steward of the community to help.

“Frankly, I was appalled to learn the shelter would be unable to open due to lack of funds,” Earwood said. “This is the least we can do for those who are less fortunate. I hope the money we are able to raise through this event will encourage others to step forward for this good cause.”

Earwood will volunteer his and his staff’s time and facility for the event.

“Unless we raise the currently needed $20,000, the shelter will not only be unable to open this fall, but be unable to expand services to the community’s hungry and homeless,” said Rene Rohleder, a Baker House executive board member. Rohleder said this will not be the only fundraising event. She hopes the Sept. 4 event will call attention to this critical need situation and urges community members to donate and volunteer in any way they can.

“We didn’t get any federal funding this year. It’s a government decision. There is a movement in this nation to get people employed, but with Richmond County being the third poorest county in all of North Carolina, we’re seeing new faces at the soup kitchens every day,” Rohleder said.

Spectator gates will open at noon on Sept. 4 and the event is scheduled to end at 10 p.m. The car and bike show will award first, second, and third place trophies in 10 different classes with judging performed by the Playaz Elite, Ol Skool Tribe, and Carolinas Finest car and bike clubs. Registration for the car and bike show will begin at 1 p.m.

The drag race portion of the event, featuring Insane Performance Real Street and the H&R Performance Open Comp classes, will begin at 6 p.m.

Adult admission is $10, and kids under 12 will be admitted without charge when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Entry into the car and bike show is $20, including the driver and time runs down the Rockingham Dragway. Quarter mile runs are $20.

Dawn Kurry can be reached at dkurry@yourdailyjournal.com or by calling 997-3111 ext. 15.