LIVING
FULL THROTTLE
Oak Hill Elementary School third grader Shelby Hammons transformed her love of cars into a Hot Wheel-fueled philanthropic pursuit that has drawn interest and support from as far away as Montana and California. by MICHELLE FLOYD With Tim and Nikki Hammons running Rob’s Performance— a custom body shop that works on Hot Rods—in Conyers, it stands to reason that their daughter would share their love of cars. Oak Hill Elementary School third grader Shelby Hammons has collected thousands of Hot Wheels cars, trucks and other vehicles over the years. She races some of them with friends but displays the “very special ones” in her Covington home. Shelby has also shared her passion with others, all while helping various causes around the state. For the last few years, she has sold Hot Wheels and some Matchbox diecast toy cars at classic car shows around the area. “It was something we came up with,” Tim said. “We just put a few cars in back of the car to sell one time and it got positive feedback, and it’s just kept growing and growing.”
“We just put a few cars in back of the car to sell one time and it got positive feedback, and it’s just kept growing and growing.” Tim Hammons
60 The Newton Community Magazine
Tim, who showcases vehicles and emcees at car shows, admits they have lost count of how many Hot Wheels they have sold and how much money they have raised. They decided when they started selling cars that they would donate a portion of the funds raised to certain causes each car show was supporting. The rest of the funds go to purchasing more Hot Wheels, so the process can start all over again at the next event. “If anything, we’ve lost money on this,” Tim said. “Sometimes at shows, we will raise $1,200, but some are only $30.” Groups like JB Diecast in Great Falls, Montana, and Norcal Collectables in Chico, California, have assisted the family with raffles and donations, as have local businesses. Others follow them to shows to offer support. “We have friends who will come sit with us all day,” Nikki said. The Hammons started their philanthropic pursuits by supporting friends Kale and Marissa Waddleton through Caleb’s Cause, which raises money to relieve financial burdens of families with sick children. They have since expanded to other organizations. Some of 9-year-old Shelby’s favorite causes involve police officers, firefighters and other first responders. “They need equipment and lots of things to help us survive,” she said. Sometimes, the Hammons family attends specific shows to support a given cause. Other times, someone contacts them. “We have about 15 people who follow us around,” Tim said.
