Malvern Car Show Will Drive Employment For Ability-Differenced

MALVERN, PA — Two Malvern businesses have teamed up to raise money for adults with abilities differences by hosting the ultimate car show in September with craft beer, food, and music.

Locust Lane Craft Brewery and Closets by Design join forces to raise funds for Handi-Crafters, one of the largest employment and disability-focused support service programs in Southeast Pennsylvania. The fundraising plan is called Cars for Charity.

Closets by Design owner Charles Waterman came up with the Cars for Charity idea. Closets by Design (CBD) is a business partner of Handi-Crafters, and Waterman said he witnessed the decline in job opportunities for Handi-Crafters workers that came with COVID-19.

"We wanted to help offset the loss of income for their workers by utilizing our facility to throw a fun charity event that the whole community can be a part of," Waterman said.

Closets by Design tapped neighboring business, Locust Lane Craft Brewery, as their event and beverage partner. Locust Lane has developed strong roots in the community and hosts a number of fundraising opportunities throughout the year.

"We're excited to partner with our neighbors at CBD to help make this our biggest fundraising event to date!" said Steph Eby, Marketing and Event Manager at Locust Lane.

"This event is the first of what we are hoping to make a big annual event where we select a different cause in the community to raise money for each year," Eby added. Locust Lane began in State College, Pennsylvania, where its three founders met and later grew their friendship and love of beer into a business partnership.

The event will be a judged car show displaying all makes and models of vehicles including show cars to hot rods to daily drivers. Eby explained judges will choose the most worthy vehicles in a variety of categories to win trophies and prizes.

Car for Charity happens Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of Closets by Design at 60 Three Tun Road, Malvern, adjacent to Locust Lane Craft Brewery.

Show highlights include the cool cars, Locust Lane's craft beer trailer with six beers on tap, wine by Chaddsford Winery, Buddy's Burger's Breast and Fries food truck, local vendors, live music by the CBD band with DJ sets in between, games, vehicle demonstrations and more, said Eby.

Registration is now open for any car enthusiast interested in displaying their vehicle. All makes and models are welcome, including cycles, Eby said. All registration fees, as well as a percentage of food and beverage sales, will be donated to the fundraiser. Registration is open here.

Vendors interested in attending can direct all inquiries to steph@locustlanecraftbrewery.com.

Handi-Crafters helps more than 400 people in Chester and nearby counties who are differently-abled to access employment in their communities. It's been operating since 1961 working to acquire work contracts with businesses for production, assembly, and packaging needs, the nonprofit's website explains.

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