COAL VALLEY, Illinois -
The auctioneer's banter leads the way to Coal Valley. That's where bidders come from far and wide to buy more than 100 cars for sale.
"It's huge," said bidder Rhonda Stephens. "It was really nice, and the prices were right."
Arrowhead Ranch, which serves at-risk youth between the ages of 12-21, began the event back in 1973 to fund capital projects.
During the back and forth bidding, some will be driving away for the first time.
"I'm excited," said Nicole Rossow, 17. "It's all mine now."
"It's for the youth," added her dad, Rodney Rossow. "If we don't support and help our youth, our future's doomed to failure. We need to support our youth and help them get on track."
More than just a car auction, Arrowhead's Round-Up provides financial outreach to help keep the ranch running. And there are a few surprises along the way. Chuck Hedeen and his son, Jared, wound up with a fishing boat.
"You never know what you're going to get," Chuck said. "Somebody's junk is somebody else's treasure."
The father-son team spent $550 to help Arrowhead's outreach.
"There was more than I thought would be here this year," Jared added.
This tradition didn't have to take a backseat to the Cash for Clunkers program. Arrowhead Ranch actually brought in more cars than last year.
"People that donate, donate for a reason," said Arrowhead Ranch CEO Angela Moody. "They're donating to the cause. I believe that's part of the reason why it didn't affect us."
The generosity carried over to other items for sale. Arrowhead Ranch hopes to generate up to $70,000 from the event.
"Our kids go out in the community, and they do about 100 hours of community service themselves," Moody said. "This is the way for the community to give back to us."
And for those first-time car buyers, plenty of excitement.
"Can't wait, " Nicole Rossow concluded. "Hopefully, it doesn't break down, but I can't wait."
"It's huge," said bidder Rhonda Stephens. "It was really nice, and the prices were right."
Arrowhead Ranch, which serves at-risk youth between the ages of 12-21, began the event back in 1973 to fund capital projects.
During the back and forth bidding, some will be driving away for the first time.
"I'm excited," said Nicole Rossow, 17. "It's all mine now."
"It's for the youth," added her dad, Rodney Rossow. "If we don't support and help our youth, our future's doomed to failure. We need to support our youth and help them get on track."
More than just a car auction, Arrowhead's Round-Up provides financial outreach to help keep the ranch running. And there are a few surprises along the way. Chuck Hedeen and his son, Jared, wound up with a fishing boat.
"You never know what you're going to get," Chuck said. "Somebody's junk is somebody else's treasure."
The father-son team spent $550 to help Arrowhead's outreach.
"There was more than I thought would be here this year," Jared added.
This tradition didn't have to take a backseat to the Cash for Clunkers program. Arrowhead Ranch actually brought in more cars than last year.
"People that donate, donate for a reason," said Arrowhead Ranch CEO Angela Moody. "They're donating to the cause. I believe that's part of the reason why it didn't affect us."
The generosity carried over to other items for sale. Arrowhead Ranch hopes to generate up to $70,000 from the event.
"Our kids go out in the community, and they do about 100 hours of community service themselves," Moody said. "This is the way for the community to give back to us."
And for those first-time car buyers, plenty of excitement.
"Can't wait, " Nicole Rossow concluded. "Hopefully, it doesn't break down, but I can't wait."
