To the editor:

We would like to thank the Journal-World and Sunflower Broadband for their coverage of the 47th Annual Lawrence AACA Swap Meet. This year, approximately 375 vendors attended, coming from as far as Minnesota, Colorado and North Carolina.

It takes a year of planning, with most of the visible work done in the last two weeks. Spaces are marked off, grass mowed and sound systems are set up. All concessions are provided by 4-H clubs; 4-H clubs are also hired to clean up. Public parking is handled by Boy Scout troops. Area car clubs direct parking and provide security. Other organizations that benefit include VNA, United Way, AACA, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, local high school auto tech students, Watkins Museum and the AACA Museum.

We also adopt senior citizens at Christmas and provide two scholarships for graduating seniors enrolling in auto tech programs. In October, we hold a free car show and give out trophies and awards. The Douglas County fairgrounds itself has benefited from our donations of gravel for the roads, gates to help with security, the fence on the north side along 19th Street, 1,000 pounds of grass seed and building the shelter on the south side of the fairgrounds.

And of course, we are grateful for the public that comes to browse and to buy. You can visit our website, lawrenceregionaaca.com, for more information about our club and upcoming events. We are looking forward to our 48th swap meet in 2011.