Brittany’s Project fundraiser is Saturday

The second annual Brittany’s Project Car Show will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Lirette Ford Lincoln, 6310 U.S. 90 East in Morgan City and is to coincide with Lirette’s fifth anniversary celebration, said Ben Ledet, general manager.
“We will still be selling cars but the focus Saturday will be raising funds for Brittany’s Project,” Ledet said.
The car show is a fundraiser for Brittany’s Project, Ledet said. “This is an opportunity for the car dealership to give something back to the community. … Last year we raised over $11,000,” he said.
The goal this year is to exceed that amount, Ledet said.
Brittany’s Project is a nonprofit organization started by Franklin residents Bruce and Sandra Saucier, parents of Brittany Saucier, 25, who has Down syndrome. The project is raising funds for a facility for individuals with disabilities offering a social network with recreation, summer camps, support and educational workshops. Fundraising efforts for the project began March 2011.
“We have raised $45,000 so far,” Sandra Saucier said. “We are working to get a facility for individuals with disabilities to enjoy life through recreation, social events, interaction and support, and informational workshops,” Brittany’s mother said. The facility will be erected on donated property by the Sauciers that was once the former Oaklawn Sugar Mill site, she said.
Ledet said the new car lot will be emptied so scores of new, classic and custom cars, trucks and motorcycles can be parked and viewed. The weekend car show has a special item that has been donated as an auction item.
Dealership owner Ronnie Lirette has donated a classic 1973 Ford Mustang that will be auctioned along with other donated items as part of the fundraiser.
Along with the live auction there will be live music, food, non-alcoholic drinks, a bounce house for kids and door prizes will be drawn every hour. Ledet said two radio stations are expected to broadcast live from the show. He said he is expecting at least 30 arts and crafts booths, up from 17 or 18 last year.
People are encouraged to come out for a Friday night ride through town in support of Brittany’s Project. The ride is called Brittany’s Ride and will begin with a 5:30 p.m. lineup at the dealership. The ride leaves the dealership at 6 p.m. swings though town and concludes at Tampico Restaurant on Victor II Boulevard.
The Brittany’s Project website says its goal is to enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities through a fun, safe, compassionate, nurturing and supportive environment. Enhancing lives to achieve equality, dignity and independence through recreation, educational workshops, support groups, social venues, weekend respite services, hands on learning through crafts, and building life-long friendships.
Ledet said Lirette Ford Lincoln hosts two fundraising events each year; one in the spring and another in the fall.
“Every penny of the proceeds raised goes to benefit a particular charity,” Ledet said of the two car shows. “We are starting a foundation for wounded soldiers and we get them together for a weekend out fishing,” Lirette said. “We are also trying to raise a memorial for local soldiers that lost their lives.”
The South East Louisiana Bayou Mustang Car Club helps host both events. The car club has also become active in raising funds for a Fallen Warriors Memorial in St. Mary Parish.
Wendell Neal, car club director, said the spring car show at Lirette Ford Lincoln raises funds for “Fallen Warriors” and the car club will be letting people know about that on Saturday. Neal said his club already has money collected to give for the memorial and they will be presenting a check to the Fallen Warriors Memorial fund sometime in the future.
For more information on the car show, call the dealership at 985-380-2277. For more information on Brittany’s Project, call Sandra Saucier at 337-828-2284.