The Heart Behind the Car Show

 

The McCormick Car Show began in 2006, sparked by a simple but powerful idea from Recreation Specialist Rob Campbell, to bring joy to residents through a shared love of cars. What started as a modest gathering quickly grew, year after year, into something much larger: a community tradition fueled by passion, connection, and memory.

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Among the many familiar faces, one stood out. Bob Keith.

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To call Bob a “car enthusiast” would barely scratch the surface. Cars weren’t just a hobby, they were his language, his freedom, his story. The roar of an engine, the gleam of polished chrome, the hum of horsepower beneath his hands, this was where Bob felt most alive.

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And then there was his pride and joy: a 1968 SS Camaro. It wasn’t just a car, it was a statement. A head-turner. A piece of Bob himself. He loved racing it through the streets of Highbury and Dundas, the engine echoing through the air, turning ordinary days into something unforgettable.

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But Bob’s most cherished memory didn’t come from behind the wheel. It began in a hospital room.

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When his close friend John was seriously injured in a car accident, Bob showed up, again and again. At first, it was concern that brought him there. Loyalty. Friendship. But somewhere between those visits, something unexpected happened. Bob met the nurse caring for his friend. In the middle of worry and uncertainty, he found love.

That nurse would later become his wife.

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Life has a way of changing lanes when you least expect it.

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Years later, Bob found himself back at McCormick, not as a visitor, not as a driver, but as a resident. The man who once arrived behind the wheel now watched from the sidelines. But Bob never stopped showing up.

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Even now, he remains the heartbeat of the Car Show. Through friendships built over decades, Bob continues to rally his community with 100 friends who are car lovers, who return each year, engines polished and spirits high, to honor him and the residents of McCormick. Because this event is no longer just about cars. It’s about what they represent.

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For many residents, especially those living with dementia, a single car can unlock a lifetime. The memory of a first drive. A first job. A first love. The scent of a new interior. The thrill of speed. The unmistakable purr of an engine that once meant freedom. These are not just memories, they are moments of identity, of dignity, of joy.

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Twenty years on, the McCormick Car Show continues to grow, not just in size, but in meaning.

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And now, we invite you to be part of it. Join us as a sponsor. Help us rev up compassion and drive toward something bigger than ourselves.

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