LAPLACE — The Hollywood Highsteppers dance team is hosting its inaugural Car Show & Toy Drive from 12 to 5 p.m. Nov. 18 at 625 Woodland Drive in LaPlace to raise money for the upcoming year and open new avenues for girls on the team to continue giving back to the community.

Free and open to the public, the family friendly event features food and craft vendors, face painting for children, live entertainment and raffles. Everyone in attendance is encouraged to donate a toy to benefit local children this holiday season.

Friday marks the deadline to enter the car show. All cars, trucks and bikes are welcome for an entry fee of $35, and first through third place trophies will be awarded based on criteria including the year, make, model and paint job of the automobile.

The car show entry fee drops to $30 with the donation of a new and unused toy. Email hollywoodhighsteppers@yahoo.com to access registration forms.

Toy donations should be new rather than used, valued around $10 and unwrapped so the team can ensure the item will be a good fit for the child who receives it, according to Chandra Joseph, Hollywood Highsteppers co-owner.

While the money collected from the car show will go toward purchasing items for the dance team for the upcoming parade season, toy donations will go to children who attend the team’s annual Donuts with Santa event in December.

Children attending the event have been given snacks in the past, Joseph said, but the toy drive is expected to spread holiday cheer to families in the community who may be struggling financially. In addition to Donuts with Santa, the Hollywood Highsteppers also host an annual Trunk-A-Treat to offer families a free and safe alternative to trick-or-treating.

“We’re raising funds to give back to the community,” Joseph said. “Our main focus is preventing teen pregnancy and keeping the girls active in the community.”

She said the girls on the team, ages 5 to 18, typically raise money from small fundraisers like raffles and car washes. This is the first large fundraiser the group has taken on.

“We’re just trying to get our feet wet,” Joseph said, noting team members haven’t set a goal for how much they hope to raise but appreciate all contributions.

For more information, call Joseph at 985-210-7175 or email hollywoodhighsteppers@yahoo.com.