Photo: Jonathan Phillips
Jacob Donald (left) puts a shark fin helmet on Penelope Netherton’s head as she sits in a fellow racers vehicle before the start of the 4th annual Madison Ave. Soap Box Derby in Decatur on Saturday, September 27, 2014.

The Madison Avenue Soapbox Derby will return on Oct. 1 and registration is already open.

To register, visit:  www.madisonavesoapboxderby.org

The Oakhurst derby raises money for nonprofit organizations. This year, the derby will raise funds for the nonprofit group Reading is Essential for All People (REAP). The derby was founded by the Madison Avenue Community Fund and gives racers an opportunity to race soapbox cars.

[adsanity id=27331 align=aligncenter /]

“With the support of the community and neighborhood businesses, it has grown from about 20 drivers in 2011 to almost 100 drivers in last year’s derby,” the press release for the event says. “Derby day will include local vendors with food and drinks along with live music after the race.”

REAP was established to help children become better readers by giving teachers the tools to help them in the classroom.

“It’s crucial for a child’s educational development that he or she become a proficient reader by the end of third grade,” the press release says. “This is when kids start reading to learn instead of learning to read. Unfortunately, 32 percent of Georgia’s 4th grade students read below grade level.”

[adsanity id=32721 align=aligncenter /]