Cool cars for a cause

Car lovers can look forward to the 18th annual Car Tunes on Main show this Saturday, hosted by Flag City Corvettes. Not only does the club bring together the community's car enthusiasts, but they've been donating to local organization Open Arms for almost the entirety of the show's existence. "Years ago ... we used to pick a charity each year, and we would raise money for that charity and give it to that charity," said Leigh Ann Webb, Flag City Corvettes treasurer and co-owner of Car Specialties Paint and Body Shop. One day, John LaRiche, owner of LaRiche Chevrolet Cadillac and longtime sponsor of Flag City Corvettes, suggested the club continuously partner with a local charity. The members decided on Open Arms and have donated to the organization ever since. Open Arms is a domestic violence and rape crisis center that provides a variety of services to women and children in Hancock County. Among the services the organization offers is a 24-hour crisis hotline, community outreach and education, and an emergency shelter for domestic violence survivors. Flag City Corvettes also will raise money for Open Arms via business sponsorships and raffles. In 2018, the club gave $18,000 to the organization. Besides monetary donations, the club also donates items from the organization's wish list throughout the year. "The Flag City Corvettes Club, they've been supporters of the agency for many years, as long as I can remember," said Ashley Ritz, executive director of Open Arms. "They do in-kind donation drives for us, so those are essentials we use at our shelter. We need every kind of household item possible and the Corvette Club helps gather those items and they donate them to us." Open Arms' wish list includes items that individuals and families using their services need, including clothing for children and adults, personal hygiene items, office supplies, and kitchen and household items. An online version of the wish list can be found at https://openarmsfindlay.com/wish-list The downtown car show will be held from 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Vehicle registration is from noon-1 p.m. and will be located at the corner of East Main Cross and East streets in Findlay. Registration costs $15. Ritz and Open Arms Communication Coordinator Roseanna Thornton will run the registration booth for the event on Saturday. Information about Open Arms also will be available for visitors. For the safety of all participants, cars leaving early will not be able to reenter the event. Any type of car may participate in the show.