Project CS Kicks Off Teen Car Club

Posted by OurTownNews September 28, 2009, 11:51 AM
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By Nicol Jenkins
Editor

A new car, a TV show, and donating a car to a needy family are just a few of the new and improved aspects of the Coral Springs Teen Car Club.

“I want to take the club to the next level,” said Coral Springs Vice Mayor Vince Boccard.

Boccard started the Coral Springs Teen Car Club, which is called Project CS, two years ago.

“The idea originated from my high school days,” said Boccard. “As a teen, my passion was working on my car. Most of my time with friends was spent working on cars, and today’s teens are no different.”

Project CS, which is an independent club, began in September 2007 and is one of the few car clubs in Broward County geared solely toward teens.

Boccard recently spoke to a new group of members about the new year.

“We are going into our third year, and we are trying to get youth like you involved with the business and the city through this teen car club,” said Boccard at the kick off Car Club meeting held at the Coral Springs Gymnasium.

Over 15 local teens attended the meeting excited about fixing up cars and participating in car shows.

“I’m really interested in cars and fixing one up,” said Sean Page, a ninth grade student at Coral Glades High School.

That similar enthusiasm spread across new members as Car Club President Brian Blank spoke of the new year ahead, which will include a major car show in February and other fundraising events.

“It’s cool because you get to go to car shows and show your support for Coral Springs,” said Blank. “And we are trying to get two cars to fix up, and then we can raffle them off to a family that needs a car.”

Former President Matt Spinney added, “It’s a great way to meet new friends because it’s a community of people that all like the same thing. They share the same interests in cars.”

The first project will be to complete the finishing touches and add brand new interior to a bright green 2001 Chevy Blazer from last year. The new members will begin working on that car weekly at Auto Works in Coral Springs.

“We have everything figured out with insurance so this will be the first year that they will be able to work with mechanics and work on the car,” said Rick Engle, Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Coral Springs.

Another new aspect is the TV show. Members will be able to tape their experiences while working on the car, similar to MTV’s “Pimp My Ride”.

“The kids will be able to fix the car on air on city TV, like the Pimp My Ride TV show,” said Boccard.

The Car Club will also give back to a good cause this year though car washes and by fixing up a car for a needy family. The car show is also a major fundraiser with the past two shows raising over $7,500.

Boccard says this year will be bigger and better and the best part is that the members can “decide what to do with it. It’s their club.”

As a free unfunded club, Project CS is always looking for participants and sponsors to help “rev” the engines of their program.

Past sponsors include ABC Roofing, which opened their facility as a meeting place for the club, and Big Dick’s Muscle Cars. Auto Works also dedicated their facilities as a home for the club to work on and store the Chevy Blazer. They also gave the paint that allowed the club to paint their car.

For more information on Project CS or for sponsorships, visit www.projectcs.net.