Gentlemen, start your engines

By Rhonda Simmons

Published: September 10, 2008

There’s one thing that car enthusiasts love: showing off their prize possessions.

They’ll get to do just that this weekend during the Veterans Benefit Car Show at Aaron’s, a discount retail chain.

The sales and lease ownership company will host its first car show Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Culpeper Town Square and sell $1 raffle tickets during the daylong event.

Aaron’s will split the proceeds giving half to the Compassion House — a transitional residence for veterans to live while searching for a permanent home — and the drawing winner.

Participants may receive door prizes including DVD players and other electronics.

For Aaron’s General Manager Chris Johnson, giving back to the U.S. veterans is a personal journey.

“Considering it’s so close to Sept. 11 and I’m a military brat, I thought it might be a good way to celebrate them,” he said sitting inside of his Culpeper store Wednesday. “I also have a nephew over there right now.”

Sales Manager Shelia Bacon agreed.

“It’s kind of one of those things that has touched us all,” she said.

Mark and Yolonda Deane opened the Compassion House in Brandy Station last fall.

“I think it’s absolutely fantastic,” said Yolonda Deane, referring to this weekend’s event benefiting the shelter. “It shows that the community is opening up and supporting their veterans.”

Johnson said one of the featured vehicles for the car show will be Aaron’s Dream Machine, a Toyota Camry usually scene on the NASCAR tracks.

He said several area car connoisseurs will get the chance to display everything from their “old school” classic cars to “new school” sporty vehicles.

Aaron’s opened its first store in 1955, offering low prices on kitchen, bedroom and living room furniture, as well as major appliances, electronics, televisions, computers and lawn mowers.

The Culpeper location opened its doors in March.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .

Want to go?
What: Veterans Benefit Car Show
Where: Aaron’s, 506 Culpeper Town Square
When: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.