The skies threatened rain, but you couldn’t tell it by the strong community turnout for the “Cops N’ Cars” car show. This inaugural event hosted by the Roswell Police Department was by all accounts a hands-down success.
The multi terraced grounds of Roswell’s City Hall provided the perfect backdrop for the day’s family-friendly festivities. The tree-lined parking kept the Atlanta summer sun at bay and gave the car show a zen-like back-to-nature feel.
A plethora of food trucks served up tasty lunch options for attending car enthusiasts. Just how good was the food, you might ask?
Well, several of the vendors ran out of food long before the end of the event. That alone should tell you all you need to know about the crowd size and the quality of the food on hand.
This free-to-the-public event also provided a natural opportunity for local law enforcement to mingle and talk with car enthusiasts in a relaxed setting.
This Sunday morning event was grassroots community relations at its finest.
Giving To Those They Serve
There are many ways law enforcement officers actively give back to their communities. However, the most successful programs involve the interaction of police with members of the communities.
This “Cops N’ Cars” event was more than a well-organized community car show. It was an inviting setting for residents of the area to talk with the trained professionals who protect their community.
The proceeds from the car show registration supported the Roswell Police Department’s “RPD Gives” community outreach program.
The “RPD Gives” program was born out of the desire to continue to provide for the needs of the Roswell community. The program raised over $17,000 last year, allowing them to provide 27 families with over 400 gifts of both necessity and joy.
“RPD Gives” hopes to continue to grow this successful program, providing for even more families and making positive, lifelong community connections.
A Winning Family
It’s said, “Family isn’t defined only by last names or by blood; it’s defined by commitment and by love.” Such is the case with John Martin and his family’s commitment to each other and to winning.
Take, for example, John’s stunning blue Mako Shark Corvette in the photo. If it looks familiar, it should. We covered the restoration in our popular article; John Martin Brings A Mako Field Find To Life.
This “Cops N’ Cars” event featured Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches, and well over 100 other noteworthy hotrods and classics. Facing fierce competition, John’s Mako Shark rightfully took home the Best in Show award.
The winning ways extend beyond John’s custom one-of-a-kind Corvette. They go all the way to the aero-friendly Soap Box Derby car that his daughter Tess campaigns.
Her success in the “All-American Race” series has propelled her to the lofty ranking of 7th in the world.
Proof again that commitment, talent, and winning run in this family.
Georgia Law Enforcement Organization
One of the organizations that stood out at the “Cars N’ Cops” show was the Georgia Law Enforcement Organization. This is a statewide nonprofit corporation with 501(c)3 status headed by Greg James.
Their mission is to provide overall support to Georgia’s enforcement officers in their professional and personal lives. They accomplish this through various benefits and community outreach resources.
The programs are 100% funded through grants, membership fees, special fundraisers, and donations from their supporters and partners.
The majority of the funding goes directly back into programs that enrich and improve the lives of law enforcement families they support.
Some of their programs include funding for legal defense, injured/sick officer support, mental health assistance, and funeral support.
More Than Beautiful Cars
This well-executed event transcended the typical static car show experience. The goals seemed loftier than just strong vehicle registration numbers and enthusiastic local turnout.
The Roswell Police Department put a great deal of thought into the optics of the event and the community relations aspects.
The show ultimately achieved more than simply raising awareness and funds for the “RPD Gives” program.
In today’s world, communities rely on police departments to “protect and serve,” and the police, in turn, rely on community support and cooperation.
In a symbiotic way, this show strengthened both.
When it was all said and done, the “Cops N’ Cars” event brought the local police department and the community together for fun in the heart of Roswell.
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