Car shows benefit Fisher Houses

  • Published
  • By Amy Rollins
  • Skywrighter Staff
Donations from a series of three "Voss Hoss" car shows being held this summer are benefiting the Fisher Houses at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Voss Chevrolet, part of the Voss Auto Network, held its inaugural car show June 3, with the remaining shows scheduled for July 15 and Aug. 19 at its Loop Road Pre-Owned Car Center in Centerville. It was and will be free for both participants and spectators. More than 300 vehicles showed up to the first event.

"Our staff has really embraced this show," said Stephanie Griffin, marketing director of the Voss Auto Network. "We have over 60 people volunteering their time to help with this, and all proceeds from donations and a 50/50 raffle go to the Fisher Houses, which provide housing to veterans and military families receiving treatment at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base's medical center," she added. "We wanted to give something back to both the community and our customers - an event with the emphasis on enjoying cars and not selling them."

Show proceeds also will benefit the AIM for the Handicapped organization.

Griffin added, "What more can you ask for - to help benefit the military, the people who serve our country and are recovering?"

The company also used the event to reintroduce its Voss Hoss character to the public.

There were awards in five categories: classic muscle car, truck, street rod, best engine and best paint, all judged by Voss staff and other experts. The Voss Hoss Wild One Award, similar to a People's Choice Award, was given to the car that created the most buzz. The unique trophies were designed by Brad Voss, one of the owners of the Voss Auto Network, and built by Kevin Fry out of used engine parts.

Christopher Stanley, executive director of Fisher/Nightingale Houses Inc., the foundation that has supported the compassionate care facilities at Wright-Patterson AFB for 26 years, attended the show and marveled at the vehicles there, he said.

"What Voss is doing is very much appreciated," he said. "We appreciate not only Brad Voss reaching out to us to do this and the donations, but the opportunity to educate people on what Fisher Houses are. The education aspect, letting people know that we are taking care of wounded troops and their families, is very important to us."

Stanley said he also was impressed that so many car owners chose to attend the Voss Hoss show on a Friday night when there were other competing cruise-ins and events.

But he saved his greatest praise for the Voss organization, which provided free refreshments and saw so many of its staff members assisting with the first show.

"It costs about $500 per day to operate the two houses, so the donations at the end of the shows will be very much appreciated. Whether you have a car or are just a spectator, come out to walk around and see the cars at the two remaining shows."

Stanley added that the proceeds also will help FNHI support a new facility planned for the Dayton VA Medical Center campus in 2017.

Skip Peterson contributed to this story.