“He would have just been in heaven again if he had been here.” Car show celebrates legacy of Cash Gaudio

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – Shannon Meyers said when her son passed away in September, her biggest fear was that one day, he would be forgotten.

But as hundreds of people gather together for a car and truck show in his honor on Sunday, Meyers knows her son, Cash Gaudio, will always be remembered.

Gaudio was shot and killed in his driveway after arriving home on September 30th. He was just 19 years-old.

“It’s been a very dark, horrible time for our family,” said Meyers. “And so just a little bit of brightness and seeing people celebrating Cash’s life is is really meaningful to us.”

“Gears for Gaudio” is a fundraising event Savena Royal, a close friend of Gaudio’s, was able to put together in a matter of weeks as people from all over Lynchburg eagerly joined to share his life-long love for cars.

“This is exactly the turnout that I expected for him and maybe even a little bit more, but it it makes sense because that’s who he was. He made an impact on everybody,” said Royal.

Although Gaudio’s family is still reeling from his tragic death at just 19 years-oldm they saidy the car show is the best way to honor his life.

It featured his beloved red 1950′s Ford and a line of orange cars that represent awareness of gun violence.

“There’s the common thread of obviously their love for cars, and then there’s also the common thread of just wanting to support our family and honor Cash,” said Meyers.

“It’s wonderful. He would have just been in heaven again if he had been here,” said his grandmother, Linda Wolfe.

All proceeds from the event went towards the “Live like Cash Gaudio Foundation.” The foundation raises money for scholarships to student athletes like Gaudio at Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy and Liberty Christian Academy.

“We want it to be a legacy of Cash that lives on long after we’re not here anymore. So events like this are part of what allow that to happen,” said Meyers.

Meyers said “Gears for Gaudio” is one of many events they’re planning to honor her son and support the foundation. More information about the foundation can be found here.

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