Wheels for Meals benefit rolls into CHEER center Saturday, June 29

The Wheels for Meals CHEER International Car Show has earned a reputation for drawing hundreds of people and about 50 interesting automobiles to Georgetown to benefit a program many depend on.

This will mark the third year the two-day event has raised money and awareness for Meals on Wheels, a program where cars play an important part.

“Every year it gets bigger and bigger,” said Walter Koopman, event cochairman. He said the 2011 and 2012 shows each raised about $10,000.

Last year, Georgetown CHEER’s Wheels for Meals served about 900 individuals more than 140,000 nutritious meals.

Many clients are too frail or sick to leave their homes, the program provides them a measure of independence.

CHEER Inc., is a member of the national Meals on Wheels Association of America and is authorized to serve Sussex County.

Since 1976, the national organization has provided the resources, tools and information needed to prepare senior nutrition programs and make a difference in the lives of seniors facing the threat of hunger.

This year’s centerpiece vehicle is an 1897 De Dion-Bouton tricycle that will on display inside the center.

The trike is very much unlike the modern-day BMWs, Ferraris, Porsches and Rolls Royces displayed outside.

The tricycle’s engine uses a surface carburetor in which air is charged with fuel passed over the surface of gasoline.

About 15,000 tricycles were sold from the start of production in 1897 until the last model was made in 1904.

In 1902, French racer Georges Osmont set a speed record of 67 mph on a De Dion-Bouton.

Koopman, an automobile historian and restoration consultant, said the tricycle has an estimated value of $500,000.

Entrants will be eligible to win two Best in Show trophies: one for a Sussex County car owner and the other to a car owner from anywhere.

Trophies will also be awarded to the owner of the oldest vehicle and the vehicle owner who traveled the longest distance to be in the show.

Each car owner registered for the event will receive dash plaques and goodie bags.

An opening night gala is 6 to 10 p.m., Friday, June 28. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served; there is a cash bar, door prizes, a 50/50 raffle and live entertainment featuring The Honeycombs.

Tickets are $25 per person and are available at the door.

The car show is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 29. The rain date is the following day. The $5 per person admission charge will be donated to CHEER’s Meals on Wheels program. A gala champagne brunch is also available 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $25 at the door. The day will feature entertainment, displays, and food and merchandise vendors.

For additional car show information call the CHEER center at 302-856-5187, or go to www.cheercarshow.weebly.com.

The Georgetown CHEER Community Center is located at 20520 Sand Hill Road, at the Route 9 intersection.