Car show to benefit Wolph Foundation

The relationship between the Wolph and Reineke families date back more than two decades, with an arm of it being the Reineke Classic Car Show. Last year's show generated about $4,000 for the Joseph Wolph Foundation for Music Education, and the event will be renewed from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., July 29 at Reineke Ford Lincoln, located at 12000 County Road 99 in Findlay. "We are excited for our annual classic car show in Findlay and to support this very special foundation," Tom Reineke, president of Reineke Family Dealerships, is quoted as saying on reinekecarshow.com. Joseph Wolph, a Fostoria High School graduate, worked for the Reineke dealerships and maintained an avid interest in music before dying of acute kidney failure in 2020 at age 38. Part of his passion for music was a particular interest in guitars, and he taught youngsters to play the instrument at the former Alt's Music Center -- now Second Wind Music Center -- in downtown Fostoria. To continue Joseph's legacy and to assist youngsters in learning music, his parents, Dan and Karen Wolph, of Fostoria, his widow, Christi, of Arcadia, and his uncle, Glenn Burris, of Bowling Green, formed the foundation. In the span of its first 20 months, the foundation has helped to fund guitar programs in Fostoria and Carey schools, donated a piano Joseph had owned to Vanlue School, purchased polo shirts for members of the junior high choir at Fostoria Junior/Senior High School and bought a percussion cabinet for the Fostoria High School band program. "People have supported us very well," Karen Wolph said. "We're very appreciative of that." Cars were another interest for Joseph Wolph, and a career in that field bloomed when he connected with Tom Reineke after graduating from high school. "He worked for 20 years for Tom," Karen said. "When Tom was out here at the Fostoria store, Joseph started there when he was just out of high school, that summer, earning money for college. He started detailing cars and went from that to his own office in the Findlay store and became the head of merchandising and sales." All vehicles, including motorcycles, are eligible for the car show, with a variety of prizes set to be awarded. The entry fee is $10 per vehicle. Advance registration is available at reinekecarshow.com. The event will take place rain or shine and will also include door prizes, entertainment and refreshments. Karen Wolph said last year's event was greatly successful, with more than 200 vehicles entered. "It took up their entire parking lot, toward the street," she said. "This year they've got more parking lot than last year, so if it's a nice day and it doesn't rain or anything ... One of the people who came last year said it worked out really well and they would come again. So, hopefully, it'll be a big success." Wolph said the foundation would for a second year conduct a craft sale in September at the Wolphs' Fostoria home. For now, she said, no schools have requests in for assistance. "If there's a school out there that needs anything for the fall, we'd love to hear from them," she said. "The last thing we did was the shirts for the kids in the junior high, and then we gave a little money to Arcadia for a fundraiser just lately. If we can put it out there: It's not just for Fostoria. Tiffin, Findlay, all the little schools around -- if they have a need and they let us know, we'll certainly consider it." The foundation may be contacted through its website, jwolphfoundation.org, or by emailing to jwolphfoundation@email.com.