Model citizens: Modelers to raise funds for Camp Quality

May 15, 2008 07:03 pm

— By Scott Meeker
smeeker@joplinglobe.com
There’s no high fashion, no little turns on the catwalk.
Wrong kind of models.
No, the Four State Modelers Club is seeking cars, aircraft, military vehicles and other creations for the Four State Model Contest to be held on Saturday, May 24, at Hobby World, 3323 E. 32nd St.
The club is made up of area hobbyists, but member Rick Edens said the group wasn’t officially organized until about three months ago.
“We used to meet one Wednesday a month, but since we’re starting all over, we’ll decide on new meeting dates at the show,” he said.
It’s actually the club’s second contest, said Edens, but last year’s was not advertised and there were only a few entries. This year’s contest should be much bigger.
“It’s open to anyone in the Four-State Area,” Edens said. “We’ve received calls from people as far as Branson, Tulsa and Gladstone, Kan. The word has gotten out.”
The model categories are military, sci-fi, aircraft, diorama, automotive, commercial vehicle, a miscellaneous category and one for kids age 12 and under.
There is an $8 entry fee for the first model entered, and $2 for each additional model. The kids class is free.
First place in each category will receive a plaque, with medals going to second- and third-place winners. Visitors at the event will vote for the People’s Choice award, and judges will give a Best in Show award to one of the first-place winners.
Registration will begin at 9 a.m., with judging from noon to 1 p.m. Awards will be presented at 1 p.m.
All proceeds from the contest will benefit Camp Quality. The camp is for children ages 5 to 17 battling cancer to participate in weeklong activities such as swimming, horseback riding, fishing and sports.
Edens said that the fund-raising effort has taken on a new direction than what was originally intended. The Ozark Camp and Retreat Center near Neosho — where Camp Quality was to be held in July — was destroyed during Saturday’s tornado that ripped through the area.
“We were going to try to make their lives a little bit better with some baseball equipment,” Edens said. “Now they need a whole new camp.”
In addition to money raised from model entries, he said that visitors can make a donation to Camp Quality during the event.
Details: 649-6058 or 4.state.modelersclub@live.com.

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