Annual car show allows Richards family to give back

By Elizabeth Richards

In February of 2018, the Make- A-Wish® Foundation granted Seth Richards, who has severe epilepsy, his wish to meet Mickey Mouse. The whole family – Seth, his father Dwaine, mother Susan, and sister Falon – was sent on a Disney cruise to the Bahamas. The experience inspired the family to help grant wishes for other children.

The Richards family while on their cruise

“This was a spectacular trip for the entire family,” said Susan. On the cruise, Seth met Mickey Mouse, who gave him a stuffed Mickey Mouse. “The trip was a chance to think of more than seizures,” Susan said. Seth has daily seizures, she said, and though those continued while on the cruise, being away from the typical environment allowed the family to focus on other things. 

The Richards wanted to give another child, and another family, the feelings of excitement and peace, and the benefit of getting the medical aspects of their situation off their minds for a while, Susan said. “This was such an amazing feeling and we wanted other families to get that same feeling,” she said. 

Seth loves cars and going to car shows, Susan said, so the family decided to raise money by putting on their own car show.  For the past two years, the Richards family has raised money with a car show at Seacoast Adventure in Windham. They plan to hold the event annually.

The first show, in July 2018, involved approximately 30 cars, raising $1215 for Make A Wish Maine. The 50/50 winner, Danny Douglass of Casco, even donated his winnings to the cause, Susan said. Trophies were given to the top three cars, voted on by those in attendance.

In July 2019, the second show featured nearly 80 cars, growing significantly with $1500 raised for Make A Wish Maine. “One hundred percent of all the car entry fees and donations go to Make A Wish Maine.  It all stays for Maine children,” Susan said. 

This year, local businesses donated items for door prizes.  As people entered the show, they received a ticket, and the band drew winners approximately every hour. “We had awesome giveaways,” Susan said. These included gift cards to Beacon Pizza in Raymond, Aubuchon Hardware, Mad Mike’s, and Applebee’s; a bird feeder from Tractor Supply, tools, hats and clothes from Napa Auto Parts; a wrench set from Auto Zone, a wash bucket and hats from O’Reilly’s, and a grill donated by Lowe’s.

Roy Moore, owner of Seacoast Adventure, set up live music and a beer tent, and the Deck House Tavern was open to provide food and drink. The activities at Seacoast were also open throughout the event. 

The 2019 trophy winners were: Third place, Janet Mathews of Raymond for her 1939 Cadillac Special; Second Place, Bill Bains of Dayton for 1965 VW Pickup; and first place, Tom Marsh of Limington for his 1969 Pontiac GTO. Trophies were purchased by Seth Richards and Mike Bolk Construction.

Moore has agreed to hold the Make A Wish car show at Seacoast Adventure on the second Saturday in July each year, Susan said. 

On August 8, 2019, Seth delivered the $1500 donation to Make A Wish Maine in Scarborough.  “He gets so much joy out of bringing this money to Make a Wish for other children,” Susan said. “the smile on his face pretty much says it all.”

\Seth was given the chance to ring the bell, which is rung anytime a wish is granted or a large donation received.  “Seth loved it and looks forward to hitting the buzzer every year,” Susan said.  “The Richards family wants to thank everyone that attended the car show. Without all of you, none of this would be possible.”