The annual Veterans Car Show on Saturday was back at Veterans Memorial Park, where the event started a few years ago to raise awareness about mental health services.
About a dozen antique, classic, and uniquely painted vehicles lined Jay Street, and the park was packed with information about physical and mental health programs, veterans services, and substance abuse treatment.
Colusa County Behavioral Health and Safe Haven Wellness and Recovery Center organized the event.
The car show is held each May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month.
“I think it’s spectacular,” said Amber Baird, who helped organize the car show for the first time this year. “I grew up in Colusa and I love to see the support go to the veterans and the town.”
Saturday’s car show included a free lunch and many raffle prizes.
Instead of a fundraiser, Behavioral Health and Safe Haven organized a scavenger hunt of sorts, for information.
One of the highlights of the car show was the presentation of the Mary Winters Memorial Award to a person or organization that has gone above and beyond the call of service to give back to the community.
This year’s recipient was Williams Starbucks.
Mental Health Awareness Month is recognized in the United States each May and has been observed every year since 1949. The purpose of Mental Health Month is to help eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness by raising awareness of mental health conditions and those who have them. ■