Chris Manley/Staff
James Harper, President/CEO of Georgia Baptist Children's Home in Palmetto, readies his 1996 Corvette and 1977 Chevy Silverado for the 8th Annual Cars for Kids Show
Little Red Corvette
Children's home to host car show
By LaTria Garnigan South Fulton Neighbor Senior Writer
Children's home to host car show
By LaTria Garnigan South Fulton Neighbor Senior Writer
On Sept. 20, the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home will host its eighth Annual Cars for Kids Show. The show will be held on its Palmetto campus, located at 9250 Hutcheson Ferry Road, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
It is free for visitors to attend, and for those who wish to enter their antique, classic cars for display cost is $15 by Monday and $20 up until the day of the event.
The car show benefits the children’s home by getting people on the campus that might not have any other reason to be there, according to James Harper, president/CEO.
“A lot of folks come just to look at the cars and we always try to give them some information about the children’s home,” said Harper.
He said they discovered if they could ever get someone to come onto the campus, it changes them.
“They can’t ever hear about the children’s home again and not have a mental picture of where it is or what its like,” said Harper.
Besides being able to see the cars, many visitors just come to have a fun-filled family day outside and enjoy the company, food and many activities for kids that are available. Activities include live entertainment, moon bounce, face painting, games, racing ducks and more.
Vehicles range from antique fire trucks, old tractors, some fast cars, dragsters and other restored vehicles. Harper is entering a 1977 Silverado which he had restored last year. The truck, now belonging to his wife, was her late father’s truck, and was only used on the weekends. Harper also will showcase his 1996 Corvette he purchased a few years ago.
In past years they have had about 60 to 80 cars shown, depending on the weather. They always have a good crowd of lookers come and enjoy the day, said Harper.
The children’s home has been in operation since 1872. They serve school-age children (6 to 18) from broken homes, abusive or neglectful situations, and most of the children are coming from state custody (DFCS), Department of Juvenile Justice or other organizations from the state, said Harper.
“These days the children we work with have sometimes pretty severe psychological needs and part of our ministry is to give them whatever it is they need to be healthy and successful,” said Harper.
The home is affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention, which has about 3,500 churches in the convention.
“We are an agency of the convention which means the Georgia Baptist Convention actually elects our trustees,” he said. “Then the trustees are responsible for setting the direction for the children’s home. Ultimately they are the legal ones responsible for the ministry and the children’s home.”
Harper mentioned they have trustees from all over the state of Georgia. This campus is one of three in the state; there is one in Meansville and one in Baxley, which is the largest as far as land area.
The Palmetto campus covers about 300 acres and features a chapel, campus residential homes for girls and boys, a maternity home for unwed mothers who need assistance until their baby is born, a recreational facility with a private school for those not integrated in area public schools and more.
Information: (770) 463-3800 or visit www.gbchfm.org.
It is free for visitors to attend, and for those who wish to enter their antique, classic cars for display cost is $15 by Monday and $20 up until the day of the event.
The car show benefits the children’s home by getting people on the campus that might not have any other reason to be there, according to James Harper, president/CEO.
“A lot of folks come just to look at the cars and we always try to give them some information about the children’s home,” said Harper.
He said they discovered if they could ever get someone to come onto the campus, it changes them.
“They can’t ever hear about the children’s home again and not have a mental picture of where it is or what its like,” said Harper.
Besides being able to see the cars, many visitors just come to have a fun-filled family day outside and enjoy the company, food and many activities for kids that are available. Activities include live entertainment, moon bounce, face painting, games, racing ducks and more.
Vehicles range from antique fire trucks, old tractors, some fast cars, dragsters and other restored vehicles. Harper is entering a 1977 Silverado which he had restored last year. The truck, now belonging to his wife, was her late father’s truck, and was only used on the weekends. Harper also will showcase his 1996 Corvette he purchased a few years ago.
In past years they have had about 60 to 80 cars shown, depending on the weather. They always have a good crowd of lookers come and enjoy the day, said Harper.
The children’s home has been in operation since 1872. They serve school-age children (6 to 18) from broken homes, abusive or neglectful situations, and most of the children are coming from state custody (DFCS), Department of Juvenile Justice or other organizations from the state, said Harper.
“These days the children we work with have sometimes pretty severe psychological needs and part of our ministry is to give them whatever it is they need to be healthy and successful,” said Harper.
The home is affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention, which has about 3,500 churches in the convention.
“We are an agency of the convention which means the Georgia Baptist Convention actually elects our trustees,” he said. “Then the trustees are responsible for setting the direction for the children’s home. Ultimately they are the legal ones responsible for the ministry and the children’s home.”
Harper mentioned they have trustees from all over the state of Georgia. This campus is one of three in the state; there is one in Meansville and one in Baxley, which is the largest as far as land area.
The Palmetto campus covers about 300 acres and features a chapel, campus residential homes for girls and boys, a maternity home for unwed mothers who need assistance until their baby is born, a recreational facility with a private school for those not integrated in area public schools and more.
Information: (770) 463-3800 or visit www.gbchfm.org.
