Cars are the stars at Kiwanis for Fun show
Car enthusiasts shared their reasons for owning classics during Sunday’s Kiwanis for Fun Car Show at Johnny Carson Park.
Lori Wilcox’s 1944 convertible with a rumble seat was among the 300 vehicles displayed. It’s bright pink with flames painted on the hood, front fenders and doors. She’s been showing the car for 10 years, she said, as a way to share a hobby with her dad, who owns a vintage car with wooden bodywork, or “woody.”
Her car often wins the women’s choice award, probably because of the color, she added. The car appears in the Hollywood Christmas Parade each year and has carried such celebrities as those from the former ABC TV show going to online “One Life to Live”, L.A. City Councilman Eric Garcetti and the band One Direction.
Pete Rios of Arleta was sitting under a pop-up tent with several friends. He was showing his black 1938 Buick Century, which he bought 10 years ago. He has restored it, he said, incorporating his ideas along with those offered by his wife and son.
He tuned up the engine, had headers made for it, and added a suspension system that allows him to lower the car to the ground during shows and raise it to drive, he said.
“They call these cars lowriders or bombs — anything from the ‘30s,” he said. “Some people like them stock, but I’m a lowrider from way back, that’s why I built it this way.”
It took him five years to get the car into show condition. It was his longtime dream to own a show car, he said, but because of the costs involved, he had to wait until retirement and after his kids grew up. Now he shows the car all over Southern California.
“We meet a lot of nice people and see friends we went to school with way back,” he said.
Tony Wade, Car Show chairman, was supervising the members grilling hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken. They served 800 people lunch and 200 at the pancake breakfast. The Aktion Club, which is sponsored by the Kiwanis for Fun club, was selling lemonade.
The funds raised from the car show go to children’s charities in Burbank, including the Boys & Girls Club, BCR “a place to grow,” The Roy and Patricia Disney Cancer Center, the Burbank Police Department and the Burbank Animal Shelter.
“We donated 400 bicycle helmets this year to the Burbank Police Department for kids that don’t have helmets, and cooked and provided the product for Burroughs Senior Pancake Breakfast last week. We fed 700 kids in an hour,” Wade said. “I have had a great life and it’s a great thing to give something back.”
Wade, a former member of the Kiwanis Club in Glendale, lives in Burbank and decided to start the Burbank club 14 years ago with his wife, Donna, and daughter and son-in-law.
Care Walk supports school counseling
The Family Service Agency of Burbank, commemorating 60 years of service, is having its sixth annual 5k CareWalk event on April 27 at Johnny Carson Park. Pre-walk activities begin at 7:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 8 a.m. The event wraps up at 10:30.
Participants will receive a free pancake breakfast, T-shirts and gift bags. Individual early registration fees are $20 for youth and seniors 60-plus, and $30 for adults. Team fees are $175 for youth and seniors and $275 for adults (teams are composed of not more than 10 individuals). Same-day registration is $5 more for each category.
There will be live entertainment, including music from the jazz band from Jordan Middle School, and local exhibitors will be supplying free food and drinks for participants.
Sponsorship levels are $1,000, $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 but all donations are accepted. All proceeds will benefit the Family Service Agency of Burbank’s no-cost, school-based Youth Counseling Program.
Last year counselors helped more than 1,250 students dealing with depression, parent loss, suicide, anger management, substance abuse, child-care abuse, bullying, family violence and others, said publicity chairman Eric Hansen. Students receiving counseling were in elementary, middle and high schools as well as those attending district alternate campuses.
For more information, visit https://www.carewalkofburbank.org.
Chad’s Champions ready for Relay for Life
Members of Team Chad’s Champions are gearing up for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the 24-hour walk on May 4 and 5 at Johnny Carson Park. The walk begins at 9 a.m. Saturday and ends at 9 a.m. Sunday.
Team Chad’s Champions was created to walk in support of Chad Becken, the son of Don and Susie Becken, of Burbank. Chad Becken lost his battle with colorectal cancer last year. He was 37 years old.
Don and Susie Becken, Chad’s parents, continue to help raise funds and awareness of colorectal prevention, early detection, treatment and patient support, Susie Becken said.
“Knowing Team Chad’s Champions will help make a difference leaves me hopeful and proud,” she said. “I want a world with less cancer and more birthdays. There is no finish line until we find a cure.”
Chad’s employer, Cast & Crew Entertainment Services, is part of the team and had a bake sale in March to raise funds for the Relay for Life. The final total raised was $1,282.98.
The Relay for Life is an event to celebrate cancer survivors, remember those who have been have lost, and raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society research and community services, said Daniela Barragan, relay manager. This is the Burbank Relay’s 10th year.
“Over 10 years they have raised more than $1 million. Their goal is to raise $135,000 and recognize 130 cancer survivors. It is also the American Cancer Society’s 100th birthday in May,” she added.
Saturday activities include a survivor lap at 9 a.m. Survivors can sign up at the event or go to https://www.relayforlife.org/BurbankCA and sign up. They will receive a T-shirt, medal and complimentary breakfast. The Luminaria ceremony is at 9 p.m. The entire track is lit up with white luminaria bags. Each bag will be named for a person who has had cancer, is still fighting the disease or who has passed away as a result of it.
There are musical acts, bands and singers all day long as walkers walk the track and shop at different campsites. There is even an area for kids with games, arts and crafts.
To volunteer, contact Michelle Jacobovitz, event chair, at mjrelay2011@yahoo.com. The public can also donate a canned food item that will be used to hold down the luminaria bags at night.
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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.