Nonprofit Life Worth Living Looks to Overcome Federal Cuts With Help of Big Jim Edwards Auto Show
BY CLYDE HUGHES | AC JosepH Media
BRIDGETON – Under the late-morning sun on May 3, Life Worth Living founder John Fuqua sat at a park along the city’s Cohansey River like a man without a care in the world.
Surrounded by show piece cars, trucks, motorcycles and other vehicles at the annual Big Jim Edwards Auto Show, Fuqua did not look like a man who saw more than $1 million cut from his organization — that serves at-risk youth in the area – at the whims of the current federal administration.
Fuqua said Life Worth Living will survive and thrive despite the funding cuts because of community support.
“This too shall pass,” said Fuqua, a Bridgeton native to returned to his hometown after college to address the challenges facing local youth. “What we lost, we’re working to make it back. We will continue and this event highlights the best in our community.”
Life Worth Living founder John Fuqua said the Big Jim Edwards Automotive Show is providing meaningful funds to his organization, which will allow it to continue its mission of helping youth throughout the Bridgeton area.
Fuqua said none of what Life Worth Living is doing for youth has been cut. The organization will hold its basketball camps and summer camps for young people and will do what it takes to stretch its programming, so no one is left out.
Fuqua said the auto show, which was smaller this year because of competing events, shared a bigger message. Young people spent their time with law enforcement officers volunteering for the event and got to ask questions and connect with auto owners showing off their cars.
“They are learning about hard work and what that earns you,” Fuqua said. what they are seeing right now are the toys from hard work. These are the extras you can get if you work hard. We’re showing the gold standard.”
The event is more personal for Richard Todd Edwards, local longtime Bridgeton businessman and community activist. The event is named after his father, the late Jim Edward, founder of Edward & Son Funeral Home, who also worked with emotionally troubled youth.
“My dad worked with a lot of the kids John’s working with,” said Edwards, who is also a supporter of Life Worth Living. “He would bring them into our home. Some of them I still call my brothers.
“My dad was also a big car guy and he would have enjoyed this. I don’t know a damn thing about cars, but I’ve turned this over my team helping put this on. John is doing the work in the community, like my dad. That’s why this is personal to me. They just got hit hard with that loss of funding but we’re trying to get that back.”
Eugene Kelley and Marvin Askins were two of several organizing volunteers who made the auto show run as smoothly as silk. Bridgeton restaurant Inka Chicken provided meals for those attending. Edwards said the auto show gave out three new trophies recognizing supporters who have passed in recent months.
Edwards’ brother, Bridgeton city councilman J. Curtis Edwards, also attended the event, saying that he was impressed by the turnout.
The auto show proved beneficial downtown businesses as its attendees spilled over onto South Laurel Street in Bridgeton’s business district. With the auto show now a staple in Bridgeton’s cultural calendar, organizers hope it will continue to help groups like Life Worth Living make a difference.
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