Car Show Planned For Kids With Disabilities

Kids with physical disabilities can get behind the wheel of a “Kool Korvette” on July 8 at the Atrium Garden Center in Lake Zurich. 

A “Kids in Korvettes” event will take place for disabled children and young adults at 6 p.m. that day in the Atrium parking lot. June 17 is the deadline to register to participate in the event.

“This is the first time we are doing this,” said Christine Wilson, marketing consultant for the Atrium Garden Center.

The center has reached out to organizations and schools that help children and young adults with physical disabilities, including Clearbrook, the Countryside Association for People with Disabilities and TravelinWheels.

Wilson said the number of cars displayed for the children and young adults to see will depend on how many people register for the event. 

“It’ll start at the garden center in Lake Zurich, because we have a large area to showcase the cars and want to give kids an opportunity to sit behind a cool Corvette,” Wilson said.  

Members of the Libertyville-based North Shore Corvette Club also will be on hand to answer children’s questions.

Barb Harms, a member of the North Shore Corvette Club, said this would be a great opportunity for disabled children and young adults to get close to different types of sports cars. 

“The club elected to do this because it benefits children who may not have another opportunity to get close to Corvettes, have their picture taken with the cars and, if possible, sit in the car,” she said. 

Harms said she is not sure yet which cars will be at the event, or how many members will attend. But the club has cars ranging from the "first Corvette (1953) to brand-new 2011 cars” that are “kept in perfect condition inside and out.”

After the car show, the children’s families can take them over to their own section at Superdawg in Wheeling, where they will receive a free meal. Families and other attendees also will receive a free soda. 

If you are interested in participating, contact Wilson at christine@atriumgardencenter.com.

About the North Shore Corvette Club

Harms said the North Shore Corvette Club started in 1973 out of a love for Corvettes. 

The club has about 150 members, including individuals and couples.

“We have lots of different activities, including shows, social events, trips and racing,” she said. 

The club also holds an annual Bow Tie Extravaganza on Father’s Day to benefit a local charity. The Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago has been the beneficiary of the funds raised by Bow Tie Extravaganza for the past three years.

“We put on a large activity at the hospital with food, bingo, gifts and prizes each year,” Harms said.