High Lakes Car Club in La Pine, Oregon
Not Just About “Old Cars”, it’s About “Community“
Many people in La Pine and the surrounding area are familiar with the HIGH LAKES CAR CLUB. But how many really know how involved we are in the community? Of course, Classic Cars are our passion but we do much more than host a Car Show each year.
Several years ago, our local Little Deschutes Grange was in danger of being closed down due to a lack of membership; they simply did not have enough members to keep the doors open! This would have meant losing all money and property to the State Grange, which would have been a real loss for La Pine. They came to the Car Club for help. Several of our members joined the Grange immediately, saving this great community organization from closure. The Grange invited us to hold our meetings in the building, which we have done since that date. They have since added a monthly Flea Market along with other events and are no longer in danger of being closed down.
Before the La Pine Parks and Recreation District was a funded organization, they were in serious financial trouble and needed help in making their large Insurance premium. They came to the Car Club for assistance and we were able to donate $1,000. This amount was matched by Dave Hazeltine, our Car Club member, in memory of his late wife Carolyn who had been a beloved member of the club. This $2,000 got the Parks and Rec “over the hump”, to survive until they could get additional funding.
We take pride in being able to support local organizations. The club has donated food, toys and money to the La Pine Christmas Baskets Organization, the La Pine Community Kitchen and the La Pine Toys for Tots Organization. We have helped sponsor La Pine High School Future Business Leaders of America so they could attend National competitions. Through the years, we have supported the La Pine Senior Center, the 4-H Clubs, Boys & Girls Club of La Pine, Hospice of La Pine, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Interfaith Caregivers and many more.
We enjoy and are honored to participate in local Community events. When the La Pine Rodeo Association, the La Pine High School, the Band of Brothers/Sisters, The Frontier Days Association need convertibles or cars to drive princesses or dignitaries in the Parade or around the track or arena or to make an entrance into their events, they call on the Car Club. We are always happy to help out. Whether it’s the Fourth of July and blistering hot or Homecoming and cold and rainy, we enjoy helping our community in whatever way we can.
We hold two fundraisers during the year. In May of each year we host the Classic Automotive Swap Meet and on the last Saturday in June we put on the High Lakes Show-n-Shine. Both of these events are held at the La Pine Senior Center. The Senior Center has become a great partner. We are able to provide our participants with a comfortable location for our events and the Senior Center is able to earn much needed money through their catering.
The Classic Car enthusiast who come to our Car Show in June are not only from all parts of Oregon but we have drawn entries from Nevada, Washington, Montana and California. Car show enthusiasts will travel to wherever the great car shows are and we’ve been told by participants and vendors that our show is one of the best!
We have been blessed with a wonderful show of support for our events from businesses and individuals in La Pine, Gilchrist, Crescent, Chemult, Crescent Lake, Fort Rock, Christmas Valley, Bend and Redmond. We have received trophy sponsorships, raffle items, give away items for “goody bags”, and cash donations from many supporters and each one is really appreciated! When we plan our Cruise Schedule for the year, we try to include the businesses that have supported us.
Most of our Major Sponsors have been with us for many years. They have made it possible for us to continue to host our events at the level we have and draw people to our town, boosting La Pine’s economy and its image.
The High Lakes Car Club was started in 1975 with about six members who loved and appreciated owning classic cars. It has grown to a membership of about 50 people. We still have that original intent of the group…to preserve and further the appreciation and love of old cars and to be an asset to the community.
CONTACT: Sherrill Schager (541) 536-3851 or email highlakescarclub@gmail.com