TORONTO — He cherishes the memories of his mother, is grateful to the health professionals who cared for her until the end and is now striving to unite the two together simply for the sake of helping others.
Empire resident Troy Smith carries with him the spirit of his mother, Goldie Mae Hilderbrand Smith, who passed away July 3. And to honor her memory he has planned a car show for all interested area residents and will donate all of the proceeds to those who cared for his mother until the end of her life.
Smith explained all of the money raised through the event, which is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. June 28 on the east side of Yummy’s ice cream shop in Toronto, will go to directly to the staff at Valley Hospice.
“This is to help out another family at the hospice who needs it,” Smith said.
He noted that the car show is coming together through the aid of friend Bob Gault of New Somerset and his nephew Dustin Smith.
Smith also is in the process of working on a car he owns to be a part of the show — a 1971 Chevy Nova. He said he hopes to have the car completed by the date of the event, which will entail a tribute in memory of his mother on the back of the vehicle. The car also will include a tribute to his father, his uncle and friends who have passed away.
Anyone is welcome to attend the event and bring with them their motorcycles, trucks, cars or whatever type of vehicle they want to display, according to Smith. A donation of $5 will be the entrance fee, and those participating can sign up that evening at Yummy’s.
The first 100 vehicles to attend the car show will receive a dash plaque and a “goody bag,” he noted.
“We plan to have at least 10 trophies,” Smith commented, adding there will be a Chinese auction, a 50/50 drawing and door prizes.
“I just want to thank Mike Dallas for giving us his permission to use the Yummy’s lot,” Smith said of the site’s owner.
Smith said he wants to give back to Valley Hospice because the staff members “gave of themselves.” He concluded by stating his mother was of the same generosity.
“My mother donated her body to science because she always said that since she couldn’t help someone else out when she was here, she wanted to be able to help someone when she was gone,” Smith said. “And this car show will also help out other people, too, at the hospice.”
Anyone wishing to contribute to the memorial fund which is set up at U.S. Bank in Toronto or who wanting to contribute to the Chinese auction may do so by calling Smith at (740) 537-2219.
(Ghrist can be contacted at jstenger@heraldstaronline.com.)
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