Atrium Garden Center Hosts 'Kids In Korvettes' Event

Flowers were not the only thing on display Friday at the Atrium Garden Center.

Children with disabilities were able to look at, sit in or ask questions about “Kool Korvettes” on Friday night at the center during the “Kids in Korvettes” event, which took place in the garden center’s parking lot. In all, 33 cars were displayed. 

Tom Arvidson, president of the North Shore Corvette Club, said the Corvettes at the event ranged from 1957 models to brand-new cars.

“There are six generations of Corvettes here,” he said. 

He brought his 1989 convertible to the event. 

“You tell these guys to bring cars out on a Friday night and you will get results,” Arvidson said. 

Tim James, a member of the club, had the oldest car at the event, a 1957 Corvette.

“I thought it would be a nice thing to do for disabled kids,” he said. 

James added that it does not matter if someone is a factory worker or a doctor, they still could have a child who is disabled at a young age. 

James said the club picked the to host the event because it was a good spot and a central location.

Hank Koeck, another member of the North Shore Corvette Club, brought his 2010 Corvette Grand Sport to the event.

“I thought it was for a good cause,” he said. “The club does a lot of good stuff like that.” 

Club member Dave Zilligen brought a Cadillac XLR, which is like a cousin to the Corvette and made in the same plant.

“My understanding is they wanted to have the kids sit in the cars,” he said. “A lot of kids have the fantasy of sitting in a Corvette.”

David Schauer, of Barrington, brought his nephew Christopher Schauer to look at the cars.

“My sister-in-law heard about it and wanted me to bring my nephew,” David Schauer said. “I am very interested in Corvettes.”

Brett and Pam Bacci, club members, said they had hoped more kids would come to the event, but the turnout for the cars displayed was a good number.

They brought their 2004 Corvette.

Scott Carlson, of Elk Grove, brought his daughter Jamie, who heard about the event from fliers handed out at her school, the Countryside Association for People with Disabilities. 

Carlson also owns a Corvette. 

After the car show, the children’s families took them over to their own section at Superdawg in Wheeling, where they received a free meal. Families and other attendees also received a free soda. 

According to Christine Wilson, marketing consultant, the garden center reached out to organizations and schools that help children and young adults with physical disabilities, including Clearbrook, Countryside, TravelinWheels and the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association. 

Libertyville Club Keeps Active

The North Shore Corvette Club started in 1973.  The club is based in Libertyville and has about 150 members, including individuals and couples.

The club also recently did an annual car show for the veterans at the James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center and raised more than $1,000. 

“The patients come out in their beds and look at the cars,” Arvidson said.