By Jeff Whitten, for the Herald

RINCON – The Effingham Health System Foundation’s biggest fundraiser drew a crowd to Freedom Park on March 1, as thousands attended the Sixth Annual Gears and Grub Food Truck and Car Show.

The event, which included a performance by country music and television star Mark Collie, brought people from around the area to the park. Among those attending was Madison Roper, who was there with 2-year-old twins Onyx and Hendrix Roper and a baby, Willow Tanner.

Roper, from Port Wentworth, said she and her family regularly attend the event.

Truck buff Roland Gibbs, a retired Army veteran from Springfield, said he was at the event to see the vehicles, which ranged from souped-up classic cars and pickups to motorcycles to monster trucks. 

“They’ve got quite a bit,” he said. “Certain models I like, certain models I don’t like. But it’s for a good cause, I look at it like that. I’ll support anything that’s for a good cause.”

Two of the vehicles on display at the event, a purple 1931 Ford Model and turquoise 1926 Ford Model T, belonged to retired shop teacher Dave Slade of Guyton. Slade said he spent years and thousands of dollars on fixing up the two Fords, and enjoys Gears and Grub because it’s a chance to be around cars and people who love them.

"I just love being around cars, and this is one of the better shows around. And it's for a good cause, helping the hospital out,” Slade said.

 The venue was a hit with Sharon Thigpen and her son Hunter, who made the drive over from Richmond Hill to see what was on display.

“We love everything this park does,” Sharon said. “This is always one of the bigger car shows around. It seems bigger this year.”

Gerald and Amanda Kessler, who were at Freedom Park with Down South Mini Tractor Pullers, a Clyo-based nonprofit which competes in mini-tractor pulling events, said Gears and Grub is important because of its impact on the hospital, where their daughter, Ashton Smith works in the ER as a patient care technician.

“This is a great fundraiser,” Gerald said. “It’s a way to give back to the hospital and helps them upgrade their services.”

Amanda said Gears and Grub means the hospital can keep providing important services locally, “so we don’t have to travel to Savannah or Jacksonville.

“You see stories about small hospitals that are closing up, and that’s so tragic. We’re very lucky to have a hospital in our community that provides excellent care,” she said. “This is our way to give back and help it grow as our community grows.”

Hospital employee Tasha Robinson, who works in cancer care, spent Saturday volunteering at the Effingham Health System display. She said Gears and Grub is important because it helps the hospital provide services. But it’s also a good time.

 Robinson said the cars are her favorite part of the event but gave Mark Collie a good review. "I thought he did an awesome job."

 Collie, who performed several songs, including his 1990s top 10 hits “Even the Man In the Moon is Crying,” and “Born to Love You,” in front of an appreciative crowd, said he was happy to lend his name and music to the fundraising effort and later signed autographs for fans.

 Among them were teens Gavin Helm and Parker Christenberry of Rincon, aspiring musicians who came away with autographed shoes and guitar picks.

 “I think it's really cool seeing him play, because I want to learn how to play guitar," Gavin said, and Parker said he also hopes to learn guitar.  Both say they are fans of Collie and gave his show a thumbs up. 

Rincon Mayor Kevin Exley is also fan of both Collie’s music and for his acting – Collie plays Sheriff Walt Joeberg in the Paramount Plus show “The Landman,” which stars Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore – and was among those in attendance Saturday to give organizers high marks.

“Effingham Health System has definitely done this right,” Exley said. “This is just awesome. The city of Rincon is growing, and I feel like we’re on the cusp of doing some really nice things, with our Freedom Rings Parade and Veterans Park.”

Scott Russell, a childhood friend of Collie’s family and director of the Effingham Health System Foundation, the hospital’s fundraising arm, said money raised during Gears and Grub allows the foundation to invest in pediatric care, senior care, and in expanding cancer care.

“We’ll get see 5,000 to 6,000 people out here helping support their community, raise a little money and get the great word about the Effingham Health System out to the public,” he said.