Jim’s Kids will be part of next Saturday Cruise-In on Sept. 28

ASHEBORO — Jim’s Kids will pitch a tent at the Sept. 28 edition of the Asheboro Summer Cruise-In Series. 

The event will take place in the parking lot of the Randolph County Courthouse, 176 E. Salisbury Street. It’s organized by Grounded Elegance Car Club (Michael Allred) and Brightside Gallery (Mary Murkin).

Jim’s Kids was founded 41 years ago by the late Jim Bullins, who wanted to provide gifts for needy children. Now the organization focuses on older “kids,” adults with the mental capabilities of children and with chronic illnesses.

Nita Bobo has been a volunteer with Jim’s Kids for 21 years. She said, “Normally, we do a car show and motorcycle ride in July.” But that event was canceled due to inclement weather. So instead, it was decided to appear at the Sept. 28 cruise-in to raise money.

Bobo said the annual party for Jim’s Kids was Sept. 15 at the Family Sports Center, with food and bowling. Trophies were handed out to each of the kids, she said. “We call it our Christmas party. We did it last year and it turned out well. The kids did well.”

Precautions are necessary because of the health issues of those involved. Those precautions were put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jim’s Kids chose the bowling lanes because of its high ceilings and open air conditions.

Jim’s Kids, Bobo said, range in age from 20 to 70. Some live in group homes or in foster care while others live in their family homes. Most have health issues from birth. 

Since the pandemic, Jim’s Kids no longer provides gifts, instead giving each kid a trophy.

But that’s not important to them, Bobo said. “They just want to be together. They get so excited some might have seizures. But we have medical training for emergencies. They have all kinds of disabilities.”

Bobo said she was asked by Bullins to play Mrs. Santa Claus 21 years ago. “I fell in love with them the first night. I ain’t left yet.

“They don’t care about a gift, just seeing us,” she said. “It takes so little to make them happy. They’re precious.

“The cruise-in brings the community out,” Bobo said. But the kids won’t be at the event since “we have to be protective of them.”

Any donations given at the cruise-in will be for a worthy cause.