2005 Results

Our 2005 car, truck, tractor and motorcycle show on August 20, 2005 was a success.  The totals are still being tallied, but whatever the case, we know that it was a success.  People had a great time, great fellowship with each other, had good food, trophies were given out and most importantly we ALL helped to make a difference in the lives of others. 

Special thanks to ALL those that had a part in the show, whether a volunteer, participant, spectator, Williams' employee volunteering, vendors, etc.  Without each of you this show would not have been as grand.  Each person had a part and each person did their part well. 

It was a hot day with people searching out the shade.  There was no time for the volunteers to find shade. Before the sun came up volunteers were rushing to and fro to get things in gear and ready for the gates to open, but at 6:30am we had participants in "gear" sitting at the gate waiting for the shade trees.  The participants did not let us down as they continued to come in the gate and the phone continued to ring with people calling wanting to know when the participant entry gate closed.  The final count of show participants when the gate closed at 12 noon was 96 entries.  There were entries ranging in all shapes, sizes, colors and distances as far away as Forest, VA.  Bright, shiny and expensive show entries were lined up, polished, shined and ready for voting.  One thing for certain whether the entries received a trophy or not, all were winners with each entry.  I am glad that I was not having to vote on the entries.  I would have given all of them a vote, if nothing else, but for showing on such a hot day.  Special thanks to the show participants for their entries.  This was the largest year for our show entries with a total of 96 entries. 

I want to say a special thanks for all of the volunteers with United Way, Williams' employees and retirees and their spouses and kids.  Without each of these individuals I would not have made it.  It was such a blessing to know that I had the support of them to count on.  Each person took their task or responsiblity and they waded through people, cars, and heat of the day.

  It's good to see people that return to the show each year and it's alway good to see newcomers.  Sometimes this is the only time during the year that we see them or that they see someone from years past.  It's a time when we can reflect on the past as we look at old, but oh so shiny automobiles and tractors, etc. that make your mind go back to the back when life seemed more simple.  The rush to get here and there seemed so foreign. This one day you can look at the beauty of each car, truck, motorcycle and this year we even added tractors to the show.  This is a new venture for us and we are working with better ways to get tractors involved with the show and to get more show participants out to the show.    It's always good to hear our participants says, "We'll see you next year."  It makes us even more determined to have an even better show the following year.

All the signs have been removed, the tents taken down, tables folded up, goats returned to the homes, participants have all left the grounds, volunteers have all gone back to the routine of each day, but in the minds of thoses that work closely with the show, it only begins again.  Thoughts of: "What should we have done differently? How can we improve?  Did we need more or less of this or that?  Was it a day of fun for all and how can that be improved?"  So thoughts begin on our 2006 show.  We look at one another and say, "[2006] we're not finished counting the money from 2005 and our bodies are not over the 2005 show.  Have we totally lost our mind or what?" 

Once we step back and remember the reason for it all.  We know that we [Williams' employees] will back for the show in 2006 and we will try to make it even better.    We know that "we are making a difference in the lives of others" and we know that our support for United Way of Davidson County is needed.

Remember each year we can not do it alone.  We need each of you to make the show a success.

See you next year!

The totals are in and thanks to each of you we raised $32,594.04 through our 2005 show.  This total will be matched by Williams and the total amount donated to United Way of Davidson County will be $65,188.08.

In 2004, our amount raised was $19,003.00.  So thanks to each person that had a part in our 2005 show we were able to raise much more more for United Way.  A big thanks to everyone from the largest to the smallest who had a part in our 2005 show.

What can all of us do for 2006!  We will need each of you again in order for it to be a success.

THANKS SO VERY MUCH!  WORDS JUST DO NOT DO JUSTICE TO HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT!!!