The weather may have been cold, but the competition at NEFBA Builders Care fourth annual Demolition Derby was hot – very hot.
Just ask the driver of car No. 3, Guy LaChapelle, driving the Shapells Alligator car. When the car burst into flames, it took a the quick response by the fire department to save some of the car and keep LaChapelle from having a hot seat.
The Derby has been one of Builders Care’s best fundraisers. Back when the Derby was just an interesting idea, Bill Wilson, Builders Care executive director, and a small group of realized the potential. The first year the participants had to be coerced to drive in the derby, but by the second year NEFBA builders and associate members were anxious to crash into some of their best friends.
For the first three years the Derby was at Jax Raceway, but the track is no longer open and a new venue had to be found.
The Clay County Fairgrounds was selected and it was a wise choice as the covered grandstand kept the rain away from the crowd of nearly 3,500.
The derby started with heat races, dividing the field into four parts, and then those left running went to the final Smash-Off.
The individual heat winners were John High, Auld & White Constructors; Wayne Kiser, TECO/Peoples Gas; Lance Kuester, Lumber Unlimited; and Jerry Hall, TB Landmark Construction. Kuester was the first-place overall winner, lasting longer than any of the other heat winners.
John Thrush, driving for the City building inspectors, was the Smash-Off winner, his being the last car moving.
The youngest driver, Crew Wilson, was so proud of his Builders Care car and was anxious to make his parents – Bill and Robin Wilson – proud.
“It was great to have my son participate in the event,” said Robin Wilson, event organizer. “But as a mom, I had mixed feelings. It takes on a different slant when it’s your son out there.”
Proceeds from the Demolition Derby help the elderly, low income and disabled members of our community living in substandard housing or homes that do not accommodate their specific needs.
Builders Care is a nonprofit division of the Northeast Florida Builders Association. The Demolition Derby has become the signature event in the fundraising efforts established to reduce substandard housing by providing repair to seriously damaged homes. Builders Care specializes in making homes handicapped-accessible, repairing roofs, siding and leaks, painting, general repairs, and installing heating and air conditioning.
Builders Care has repaired more than 500 houses since 2001, but the work of Builders Care has just begun. There are an estimated 45,000 substandard houses in Northeast Florida in desperate need of repair. You can get involved by volunteering as an individual or with your company, civic group or church. Volunteers meet in the east parking lot at Alltel Stadium at 7:30 a.m. the third Saturday of every month.
Theresa Cummings, director of development, extends an invitation to the community to help out.
“We can’t lose sight of what Builders Care is all about,” Cummings said. “We need a constant flow of charitable donations so we can serve the people who need us most.”
Contact Cummings at (904) 727-3443 for more information or visit online at www.builderscare.org.
The Northeast Florida Builders Association provides education, research, legislative representation, media relations, promotions and programs for its 1,700-plus builder and associate members. The association is celebrating 62 years of service to members and to the community through various charitable efforts. For more information about member benefits, area builders or the association, call (904) 725-4355 or visit online at www.nefba.com.