New Hope Helping logo
a

MENU

OUR STORY

It was 1949, just a few years after the end of World War II,

and students at the New Hope-Solebury High School needed a gymnasium. A group of residents from the area decided to take matters into their own hands and raise the funds needed to build the gym at the high school.

The New Hope-Solebury Community Association was formed in November 1949 as a way for the group to achieve their goal. In the months that followed, the association completed several fund-raising activities until they were able to build the new gym in 1953. In 1957, the association raised $70,000 to build an addition to the gym that included locker rooms, a kitchen, and a cafeteria.

Since then, our name has changed to New Hope Helping and we continue to raise funds for many projects and causes in the New Hope-Solebury community. Our longest-running event is also our most visible and most successful: The New Hope Automobile Show.

Additional Horsepower Created a 65-Year Tradition

The New Hope Automobile Show started as an equine event but in 1957, the association added a lot more horsepower when it changed the event to a vintage and classic car show. Since then, the New Hope Automobile Show has become a Bucks County tradition that has raised over $1.2 million for college scholarships and other community projects and organizations, including:

• College scholarships of $1,000 each for up to 12 high school seniors at New Hope-Solebury High School.

• The acquisition of 17 acres of land and the construction of soccer fields and a community center along Route 202. That area, now known as Pat Livezey Park, was transferred to township ownership in 1995.

• Contributions to charitable organizations throughout the region, including Fox Chase Cancer Center.

• Working with a dedicated group to raise $460,000 to create an outdoor track at New Hope-Solebury High School.

New Hope Helping continues to work cooperatively with other organizations to help raise the funds needed to complete many community projects. The New Hope Automobile Show is just one example of how the association works with other groups to help achieve its goals.

Staging an event the size of the auto show requires a year of planning and volunteers from many community organizations. Among those who volunteer for the show every year are:
• The Boy Scouts.
• The New Hope and Lambertville fire companies.
• Soccer, baseball and football clubs.
• Members of high school sports teams.
• Large groups of volunteers who work at local businesses.

Moving Forward

Over the years, New Hope Helping has continuously looked for ways to enhance its current activities and create new ways to raise funds for community projects.

In addition to the vintage and classic automobile show, the association has added The New Hope Automobile Show Road Rally that lets drivers and their navigators follow clues that take them on a two-hour drive through Bucks County that ends at a local eating establishment. 

This year also saw the addition of The New Hope Automobile Show Cars and Coffee, a Sunday morning when car enthusiasts could bring their favorite car, truck or motorcycle, grab a cup of coffee and talk cars.

Events such as these allow New Hope Helping to continue on its mission to continuously help the community.

New Hope Helping is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on local residents, businesses and other non-profit organizations to help make the area a great place to live.

If you’d like to get involved, call us at 215-862-5665.