A generous $8,000 donation from the Lower Columbia Classics Car Club (LCCC) is helping students in the Automotive Technology program at Clatsop Community College train on industry-standard equipment used in professional shops across the country.
The donation allowed the college’s Automotive department to purchase a Hunter Road Force Wheel Balancer, a state-of-the-industry machine used by dealerships and automotive repair facilities to diagnose and correct wheel and tire issues with precision.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, six members of the car club visited the college’s MERTS campus to tour the automotive bays, see the new equipment in action, and meet with students and faculty about how their gift is making a difference.
Automotive Instructor Thad Nolan shared with the group how critical real-world equipment is to student success. “Every dealership and repair shop uses this model or something very similar,” Nolan said. “When our students train on equipment that mirrors what they’ll see in the workforce, they can walk into any job already confident and competent. That hands-on experience makes all the difference.”
The $8,000 donation was originally presented to the college in October 2025 with the hope that it could be leveraged into matching funds. Thanks to a series of community connections, the impact of the car club’s generosity grew into a $16,000 investment in student training.
Mitra Vazeen, a Clatsop Community College Board member who previously worked with former car club president Jim Purdy at Tongue Point Job Corps, happened to reconnect with Purdy in Astoria. Their conversation led to the idea of seeking matching funds to amplify the club’s contribution.
Vazeen connected with Beth Van Elswyk, Director of the CCC Foundation, to help secure the match. Jamey Hendricks, who was serving as Foundation Chair at the time, stepped forward with a $2,000 donation. An additional $6,000 came from World of Speed funds donated by Sally Bany, fully matching the car club’s original gift.
“This matching donation challenge from LCCC, combined with the strong collaboration between our Board of Education and Foundation Board, along with the generous long-term commitment from World of Speed, is an ideal example of how when we all work together, great things happen for our students and community,” said Beth van Elswyk, Foundation Director at CCC.
The February visit was not only a chance to see the new balancer in operation, but also to celebrate the collaborative spirit that brought together local volunteers, donors, and college leadership to create expanded opportunity for students.
The Lower Columbia Classics Car Club has a long history of supporting automotive education in the region, including ongoing contributions to the Warrenton High School automotive program. When the need for updated industry-standard equipment at CCC was presented, the club increased its donation to help meet the challenge.
Their support ensures that students in Clatsop County are learning on the same technology they will encounter in professional shops strengthening the local workforce pipeline and supporting regional employers. By combining community generosity with Foundation partnerships, Clatsop Community College continues to enhance its hands-on training programs and prepare students for high-demand careers right here on the North Coast.
