The third annual Beacon For Hope Hope With Horsepower Car Show jampacked Soden’s Grove Saturday.
The third annual event focused on raising awareness of and supporting veteran mental health services saw a strong turnout of more than 50 vehicles on the day.
Locally, car shows have become an increasingly popular way for organizations, namely Beacon, to raise mental health awareness across the community.
Beacon Executive Director Melissa Owen says Hope With Horsepower is one of several events helping break down stigmas. She explains that in addition to helping others open and share their stories, the car show also illustrates that just because a subject matter is “very heavy” doesn’t mean the events discussing them have to match that energy.
Taking part in Saturday’s event with two vehicles on display was St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Pastor and veteran Kent Happel with his father’s 1951 Nash Rambler and his own 1969 AMX. He says the event is important not only for the stigmas it is helping to break down but because of the message it sends to all who attend, namely veterans, “you’re not alone.”
He says that knowledge alone can help to break down many walls.
This year’s Hope With Horsepower brought in more than $2,500 and wraps up what has been a busy two weeks for Beacon with the first annual Rage Against the Stigma and Celebrities in Disguise events held last weekend.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE NewsÂ
