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Tuesday, 29 April 2025
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Written by Jamie Bishop
The Fayetteville Police Department is partnering with the Southland Car Club for the first annual Capt. Shawn Collins Memorial Car Show, set to take place May 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Festival Park, 335 Ray Ave. The event serves a dual purpose: honoring the late Capt. Shawn Collins, a respected leader in the Fayetteville Police Department, and raising funds for the Special Olympics of North Carolina. Open to the public, the event invites car enthusiasts, families, and supporters to enjoy classic vehicles for a worthy cause.
Sgt. Alexander Herrera, a nearly 20 year veteran of the Fayetteville Police Department and a member of the Southland Car Club, is at the heart of organizing the show. Herrera’s connection to both law enforcement and the car community has allowed him to bridge the two worlds for a powerful mission.
“Capt. Collins was our SWAT commander,” Herrera said. “He passed away unexpectedly late last year. He was in great shape, a stand-up guy, the kind of leader who everyone respected. This event is our way of honoring his legacy, supporting his family, and doing something good for the community.”
Herrera stated that Collins’ wife, Stephanie, is also a police officer in Fayetteville.
“They have children together, and his loss hit all of us really hard,” Herrera said. “We wanted to do something meaningful in his name.”
The idea for the car show came during a conversation between officers and city leadership, including former Chief Kemberle Braden. Many within the department share a love for classic cars, including Lt. Brandon Chandler, who oversees the Fayetteville Police Special Olympics Committee. The car show was a natural addition to the department’s lineup of annual fundraisers for the Special Olympics, which already includes a golf tournament, a torch run, and other events.
“The city police department has worked with the Special Olympics of North Carolina for years,” Herrera explained. “It’s a cause that’s close to our hearts. When we discussed hosting a car show, the department saw it as a way to not only continue that support but to also reshape the community’s perception of car clubs.”
According to Herrera, car clubs often face negative stereotypes in the area due to reckless behavior by a few. This event offers an opportunity to showcase what a positive, community-focused car club can do.
“We’re showing that car culture can be about family, giving back, and supporting each other,” he said.
The Southland Car Club, based in Smithfield, typically raises money for scholarships for students in Johnston County. As the club’s only Fayetteville-based member, Herrera is spearheading this new collaboration, combining his personal passions for law enforcement, vintage cars, and public service.
“I just bought an antique car last year and wanted to use it for a good cause,” he said. “Ever since, I’ve seen how much joy these cars bring to people. I take my kids out with me, let them work on it, and we talk to folks in the community. Even if they’re not car people, they light up when they see it. It makes people smile.”
The event is open to the public. Vehicle owners can register their cars for a $20 fee, with all proceeds going directly to the Special Olympics of North Carolina. Numerous local businesses have stepped in to sponsor the show, contributing door prizes and covering event costs to maximize donations.
“The response has been amazing,” said Herrera. “We’ve had everything from sponsorships to trophy donations. One lady on the force had a family member who donated old trophies, and we’re rebranding them for the show. It’s really come together thanks to the generosity of the community.”
Looking ahead, organizers hope to make the Capt. Shawn Collins Memorial Car Show an annual tradition. “This isn’t just a one-time thing,” Herrera said. “We want to build on this every year—raise more money, reach more people, and keep honoring Shawn in a way that makes a difference.”
As Herrera puts it, the message is simple: “We just want people to come out, enjoy the show, and know that their support is going to a great cause, and in memory of someone who meant the world to us.”
The car show promises a day of community, chrome, and compassion—a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to his city, and a step forward for those still serving it today.
For more information or to register, visit www.southlandcarclub.com. All of the proceeds go to the Special Olympics of North Carolina.
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Tuesday, 22 April 2025
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Written by Lena Simmons
The North Carolina 13th Annual St. Jude Zumbathon will take place on May 3, at Fit4Life Health Club-Hope Mills. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Guests can take part in fitness variations, Spin, Kickboxing, Total Body/Strength, Dance, and Zumba.
The St. Jude Zumbathon will be split up into two events. The second event will take place on June 7 at the John D. Fuller Recreation Center at 6627 Old Bunce Rd.
Tickets for the individual days cost $15. For those who want to participate in both events on May 3 and June 7, advance tickets are $30. Tickets at the door will be $35, and VIP tickets are available for $40.
To purchase tickets for the event, visit https://bit.ly/4cCtyOh
The proceeds for the event will support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. For more information, contact Fit4Life Hope Mills Health Club-Hope Mills at 910-779-0943.
The events will be lead by Natalie Haskell from Work It With Natalie. In addition to her online training business, Haskell travels around the East Coast to hold Zumbathons to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. A military spouse and mother of three, Haskell says becoming a group fitness instructor has been a life transformation for her.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a world-renowned pediatric cancer treatment and research center in Memphis, Tennessee. The mission of St. Jude Children’s Hospital is to focus on childhood diseases and other life-threatening diseases, comprehensive care — free of charge to patients — ground-breaking research, a global impact and affiliate clinics. The unique operating model provides a normal childhood experience for children undergoing treatment, offering housing facilities for families and a focus on outpatient care.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital treats patients from all 50 U.S. states and internationally, with around 8,600 patients seen annually. The hospital has helped overall childhood cancer rates from 20 percent in 1962 to over 80 percent today and has achieved a 94 percent survival rate for all.
Fit4Life, located at 2820 Hope Mills Rd., is a state of the art gym facility that is open to members 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Gym memberships come with free group fitness classes, and the gym has a kids' zone for parents to drop off their kids while they work out.
The facility holds daily Zumba and Spin classes, and also offers yoga, dance fit, Pilates and kickboxing throughout the week.
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