FARGO —Eli Koppenhaver hosted his own car show in 2018 for two reasons: to benefit Make-a-Wish North Dakota and to obtain his Eagle Scout status.
Koppenhaver, who is now 18, accomplished both goals.
Now, he's looking to host his second annual car show to once again help Make-a-Wish, the organization that helped him when he was 13 and facing a cancer diagnosis.
Back then, Make-a-Wish arranged to have a 1974 Trans Am restored that Koppenhaver, who lives in Fargo, inherited from his great uncle, the late Gerald Zinn , of Hummelstown, Pa.
Koppenhaver is still driving his Trans Am, though he does baby it a bit, according to his mother, Caroline Koppenhaver, who said last year's car show was successful in that it attracted 50 cars and collected more than 300 donations of toys for Make-a-Wish.
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She said Make-a-Wish gives out toys to young people as a sort of an introductory step in the Make-a-Wish process.
Caroline Koppenhaver said last year's car show was limited in the type of donations it could ask for because the Eagle Scout component of the project didn't allow for direct fundraising.
That restriction doesn't apply to this year's car show, which is set to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, in the parking lot of Blue Cross Blue Shield at 4510 13th Ave. S.
Registration will start that morning at 9 a.m. and the show is open to all cars, Caroline Koppenhaver said.
Admission is free, but donations are appreciated, she said, adding that if gifts are donated, Make-a-Wish has asked that they be geared toward older children, such as headphones or other tech gear.
Eli Koppenhaver's cancer went into remission prior to last year's car show and his mother said the disease has remained in remission.
"He's doing very well," she said.
If you go
What: Car show to benefit Make-a-Wish
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When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 25, with registration starting at 9 a.m.
Where: Blue Cross Blue Shield parking lot, 4510 13th Ave. S., Fargo
Info: Event is free, though donations are accepted. For more information, visit https://www.eaglescoutcarshow.com/ .
