Port Acres Fun Day Benefits Rita Recovery Project
By Sherry Koonce, The Port Arthur News, Texas
Jul. 20–PORT ACRES — Under blistering July skies a line of glistening antique cars paraded pearlized paint jobs for a good cause Saturday — to raise money for the Port Arthur Recovery Project.
Antique cars and shiny motorcycles competing for best in show were among the day-long list of activities at the Recovery Party-Family Fun Day at the Port Acres Knights of Columbus Hall.
Hosted by the Port Arthur Recovery Project to raise money for repairs to homes damaged by Hurricane Rita, he event was hailed a success in spite of rain and soaring summer temperatures.
“We’ve sold over $1,000 in barbecue plates, Beverly May, SETIO office manager, said.
Since Rita, the Port Arthur Recovery Project has worked under SETIO’s umbrella to make home repairs using grants and donations for materials and volunteer labor for construction.
Created to assist single parents, elderly and disabled and those without insurance or underinsured, The Port Arthur Recovery Project coffers are about depleted, even before all hurricane-damaged homes have been repaired.
Since Hurricane Rita struck the Southeast Texas coast in September 2005, the recovery group has closed 317 cases. Another 142 remain open with 13 currently in the construction phase.
May said Saturday’s fundraiser was a last-ditch effort to raise funds to keep the work going. The Recovery Project could be disbanded in May 2009, she said.
The dire financial forecast did little to interrupt the day of family-fun where motorcyclists and antique cars lined up adjacent to a children’s moon walk.
Curtis and JoAnn Potter, of Port Arthur, brought their pearl-white 1960 Corvette to compete against other antique cars.
Though the sleek American sports car was a head turner, JoAnn Potter said it held special significance for the couple.
“It’s a 1960 model — that’s the year we were married,” she said.
The Potters are members of the Golden Triangle Antique Auto Club of America, and travel to shows all over, but felt this one was special.
“Our home was damaged from the storm and we are still haggling with the insurance,” Curtis Potter said.
Inside where temperatures were much cooler, plates piled high with barbecue brisket and sausage filled the air while patrons placed bids during a silent auction, and kids had their faces painted.
JoAnne Judice, 41, of Nederland, visited the fundraiser with her family, and planned to stay through the sock-hop dance later that night.
“This was worth coming out in the heat for,” she said.
Contact this reporter at skoonce@panews.com.
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