Car Show In South Huntington To Benefit Veterans At Northport VA

SOUTH HUNTINGTON, NY — People will have an opportunity to check out classic cars and help veterans at the same time.

Walt Whitman High School is helping to host the annual Operation Enduring Care Benefit Car Show on Nov. 10. The car show will be held, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Walt Whitman High School, located at 301 West Hills Road, Huntington Station.

The Veterans Day weekend event is hosted by the Centurion Cruisers Car Club and American Legion Post 1244 Greenlawn.

The event raises money and collects donations of hygiene items, clothing, and other comfort items for the veteran residents of the community living centers at the Northport VA Hospital, United Beacon House shelter, and other transition and rehabilitation programs for veterans.

There is a $20 donation requested for car show entries, and there will be awards presented. There is no admission charge for spectators, but organizers would be grateful for donations of cash, gift cards and men’s and women’s personal hygiene products including shaving cream, razors, deodorant and toothpaste, according to the school district. Donations of bedding and bath items including socks, gloves, t-shirts, new bath towels, washcloths, and new twin and full size bedding were also requested.

Operation Enduring Care was founded in 2009 by American Legion Post 1244 member Al Statton and his wife, Connie. He started the event after being treated at the Northport VA for his first cancer diagnosis and learning of the struggles of outpatient and transitional veterans being served there. Post 1244 first partnered with him in 2016, and it’s become a key mission of the Post since then.

Statton lost his long battle with cancer and died last year. Operation Enduring Care is now held in his memory. Centurion Cruisers Car Club is made up of both active and retired law enforcement officers who "just love all types of cars."