What started as a simple idea at a car show in Clermont has become one of Habersham County’s most heartwarming community traditions.
Purpose Church at Bethel Temple in Demorest has transformed a monthly car show into a powerful fundraiser. Raising more than $25,000 since its launch, every dollar has been reinvested in helping people in need.
“We’ve given away all of it,” says organizer Rick Whiting. “It’s easy to say, ‘Brother, I’ll pray for you,’ but what are you going to do for them? Out of this comes joy.”
Whiting is compounding that joy, organizing this year’s eighth and final Cruise-In. The event is scheduled for Friday, October 10, at Pitts Park in Clarkesville. In addition to the car show and barbecue sales, this month’s gathering will also feature two live concerts with well-known Elvis impersonator Mark Eskew.
A spark becomes a movement
The vision for the monthly summer car show took shape when Rick suggested Pitts Park as a host site. When he ran the idea by his pastor, Ryan Ginn, he says Ginn was quick to agree.
“’Let’s call it Cruise-In With Purpose,’ he said. ‘Do it!'”
Since then, the event has blossomed into a team effort. Local sponsors donate money and door prizes. Springer Mountain Farms supplies bottled water to sell. Grocers provide discounts on food, and the City of Clarkesville assists with site preparation and porta-potties.
Volunteers provide the manpower, from selling raffle tickets to serving barbecue plates. Working alongside her husband to make it a success, Pam Whiting says the car show has strengthened their church.
“The youth love coming out and selling raffle tickets. It brings together our kids, our women, our men—everyone’s intermingled. It just warms your heart.”
Joy that multiplies
Since the first cruise-in in March, the Whitings say Purpose Church has used the money raised to touch people’s lives in powerful ways. Volunteers constructed three large decks for senior citizens whose old porches had become unsafe. They delivered free firewood to a mother forced to choose between food and heat.
When a local teen was diagnosed with cancer, his mother had to quit her job to take care of him. The church used Cruise-In donations to cover seven months of house payments for the family, helping to ease their financial strain. NASCAR star Chase Elliott’s crew even brought one of his cars to a show to help boost the cause.
The impact reaches beyond Habersham. Purpose Church sent more than $5,500 to support ministry needs in Bat Cave, North Carolina, still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
“It does something to your heart when you help other people,” Pam says. “It doesn’t always have to be money—you just look into yourself and see what you can share.”
That’s what the Whitings and Purpose Church hope folks will do on October 10th. They invite car owners to participate and the public to attend. There’s no set registration fee, and admission to the car show and Elvis concert is free.
Everything but the $10 barbecue plates is donation only.
Cars, community, and Christ
Each Cruise-In brings 50 to 70 cars, sometimes more. From vintage classics to late-model showpieces, the vehicles shine in the sun while showgoers relax in the shade at Pitts Park. Situated along the Soque River, this comfortable venue is another thing that sets this car show apart.
Entries are judged, with eight trophies awarded in categories like Best Vintage, Best Late Model, People’s Choice, and Pastor’s Choice.
“It’s not just about cars, and not just about church folks,” Rick says. “It’s about the community.”
The October 10th show begins at 3:30 p.m., with judging at 5 p.m. Elvis will take the stage from 5 to 6 p.m. and again at 6:45 p.m., following the awards ceremony. Organizers say donations raised at this month’s event will go toward helping families in Habersham County stay warm through the cold months ahead.
“This is our final show of the year, and we want to make it the best one yet,” says Pam.
Looking ahead
With momentum building, organizers plan to grow the event next year with more awards and, possibly, special themes like a “Jeep invasion.” But the Whitings insist the heart of the Cruise-In will never change: it’s about helping people and bringing the community together.
“We can’t say our thank-yous enough to our sponsors,” Rick says. “This is a gigantic ask for folks, and they’ve been tremendous.”
For Purpose Church, it’s all about living out their name. They’re not just showing cars—they’re showing Christian love in action.
