Members of the Eastern Panhandle Camaro Association pose with trophies from a recent show. See www.easternpanhandlecamaro.com for more information about the automobile club. Photo by Brittany Melkus/Chronicle

There’s a new club for all you Shepherdstown area Camaro owners.

The Eastern Panhandle Camaro Association was founded in September 2007 by Travis Murphy, a camaro enthusiast.

“I felt there was a need for all the local Camaro owners in this area to join together and promote the Camaro in this area and be of service to the local community,” said Murphy.

The club attends local car shows and cruise-ins together throughout the year. They also attend shows that are farther away, such as the Camaro Nationals Show in Carlisle, Pa.

“It was a great experience,” said Murphy. “I plan to go again next year.” The club also attended a car show in Maryland that was sponsored by the Maryland Camaro Club, which helped the EPCA get its start.

The EPCA sponsored their first car show in Martinsburg earlier this year.

“The car show was my favorite event the club has held because builds community and raises money for a good cause,” said John McBeth, a club member. The money raised from the car show was donated to Relay for Life.

The members didn’t just send the money from the car show to Relay for Life, but they participated in the Martinsburg Relay for Life in June. The money from the car show as well as donations from the members was donated. “The club raised $950, and our goal was only $700,” said Murphy.

Community service is something that Murphy, club president, hopes to do more of in the future. “We are looking at teaming up with Meals on Wheels this year to help them raise money and to deliver meals,” said Murphy. Murphy also mentioned that the club donated a stereo system to a family of a soldier that is currently fighting in Iraq. The family is restoring a 1969 for him, and hope for it to be completed when he returns home.

As well as attend car shows and help out the community, the club holds several activities for the memebrs. Paul Pepper, Vice President, enjoyed the family picnic that the club held at Clearbrook, Va.

The club also has a Skyline Drive cruise in October. There were several members who participated, and brought their families along for the day. The group made stops along the way at all the lookouts, and at the end of the day had dinner together. The club also attended a Hagerstown Suns game. Some members also drag race at Mason Dixon.

Four of the club members also had the opportunity to have their cars on display at Apple Valley Chevrolet when the new 2010 Camaro was introduced. Apple Valley Chevrolet and Graphic Tees Inc. are sponsors for the club.

The club meets once a month for meetings to plan events.

– For more information please visit http://www.easternpanhandlecamaro.com.