Schepel show draws hundreds of entries, raises $18K for Elim Christian Services

MERRILLVILLE - Vehicles of all shapes, sizes and makes went on display June 18 at the 16th Annual Charity Custom Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show at Schepel Buick/GMC to benefit Elim Christian Services.

The all-day event drew more than 300 entries in 30-plus categories and raised $18,000 for the agency located in Palos Heights, Ill. that serves the needs of developmentally disabled children and adults with such disabilities as Downs Syndrome and autism, said Tom VanProoyen, owner of Schepel.

Those categories included paint, engine and interior; 40 stock; custom and modified classes.

"The oldest car we had in the show was from 1909," VanProoyen said. "There were also 2011 models, such as Camaros and Mustangs, that the owners had modified."

"We moved all of our inventory off the lot and set up the show right in the lot," he said.

Twenty judges examined the vehicles and awarded the first-through-third place trophies to owners in each category. The highlight of the show was the awarding of the Best of Show prize.

This prize, the Larry Jablonski Memorial Trophy, is voted on by Schepel employees.

"Larry was an employee of Schepel for many years. He was a hot rod builder and a car enthusiast. This trophy honors his memory," VanProoyen said.

Norman R. Walters of Crown Point took home that Best of Show trophy for his 1951 Lincoln Lido after winning first place in the 1936-1956 category.

"I did not expect that. You like to knock me over," he said.

The dark green Lincoln Lido with white vinyl top has been in Walter's family for decades and was completely restored over a four year period by Tim O'Connell of Plainfield, Ill., Walters said.

"The car originally belonged to my brother-in-law and sister who lived in Indianapolis. He died in 1977 and the car sat in the garage until my sister gave it to me seven years ago," he recalled.

O'Connell brought the Lincoln Lido to the Schepel show on a trailer. At the show's end, Walters drove it home.

"That was the first time in 35 years that the car had been driven," he said with a chuckle.

Only 500 1951 Lincoln Lidos were manufactured and Walters said only two are still in existence. "I've put $125,000 into this car."

Asked what he wants to do with the prize-winning vehicle now, Walters said he planned to keep it since it's a family heirloom, "unless I can get $3 million or $4 million for it."

Schepel said 30 sponsors, including The Times, helped with the charity car show.

Both admission to the family-friendly event and food were free, and more than 2,400 hot dogs were served that day, VanProoyen said. The $18,000 raised during the event came from the $25 per vehicle entry fee as well as donations given by attendees.

"We had those entering the show make the check out directly to Elim Christian Service. That way it's a tax deduction and it's going right to the service," he said. "Our goal is to raise $10,000. In spite of the economy, we raised nearly double that."

The VanProoyen family has been affiliated with Elim Christian Services for a number of years and the dealership's charity custom vehicle show was started as a fundraiser for the organization in 1995.

"Years ago, I was on the board of directors. Now my wife, Barb, is on the board," VanProoyen said "A lot of agencies who serve this population are having their budgets cut."

Bob Stine, director of ministry development at Elim, said funding in Illinois has been "a definite struggle. We have been very frugal and have had to make some unpopular cuts in our services."

Donations such as that from the Schepel charity event help bridge those gaps in funding, Stine said.

"We could not provide the level of care we do without private donations," he said.

Elim serves Illinois and Indiana residents. There are 270 children in the school program and 210 adults who participate in the day program

The participation at the car show of six children and adults served by Elim also helps others understand the mission and focus of the service agency which has been in existence for more than 60 years, Stine said.

"At Elim, we seek to move beyond the notions that the world continues to hold about persons with disabilities. Life at Elim stands in contrast to the world's view," he said.