Chrome & Philanthropy: Tucson Classics Car Show

“I think it is awesome that the Tucson Classics Car Show has become a Tucson tradition. We have been featured in Tucson Guide as number six of 38 Cool Things To Do in and around Southern Arizona and that speaks volumes to the Rotary Club of Tucson and what we have done for the community. We are a service organization and to be able to give gifts like this back to the community through the service we do is a win-win, in my opinion,” said Jennifer Hoffman, co-chair of the event with her husband, Sean.

Recognized as one of the largest classic car show in Southern Arizona with a field of more than 425 vehicles, Tucson Classics will celebrate “Epic 18” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 at The Gregory School Campus, 3231 N. Craycroft Rd.

“This is a fantastic day out for families with classic cars from 1999 and before that features close to 10 local food vendors and fun events for a $10 ticket that also gives you a chance to win a 2017 2LT Corvette Convertible. It is a no-brainer and just a beautiful way to spend a day in the fall in Tucson,” Hoffman said.

The event, which has funneled more than $2.6 million into local nonprofits since inception, seeks to raise at least $225,000 to benefit several causes including the Pima Community College Foundation. The Foundation has partnered with the Gospel Rescue Mission to create on-site job training at its Center of Opportunity, which also offers housing and support services.

“There is a glaring issue with mental health and drug abuse and the increased population of the unhoused in Tucson. The members of our club feel the community needs to find a solution for this and we can be part of that solution. The Pima Community College Foundation has an impressive partnership with the Gospel Rescue Mission for a Center of Opportunity that is right in line with our Community Needs Assessment to help unhoused individuals change their trajectories and better themselves,” Hoffman said.

In a model that Tucson’s largest Rotary Club believes can be replicated in other cities, the Center provides access to training opportunities in direct-to-employment programs such as Building and Construction Technology; Culinary Arts; Health and Safety; Information Technology; and Logistics/Truck Driving. Participants in the program have costs covered for tuition, books, supplies and other fees so their education is debt-free. Enrollment is expected to exceed 300 when programs are filled.

“It is incredibly important for people to get a second chance and the Center for Opportunity exemplifies that we can all work together to help people to start a new chapter,” Hoffman said.

Other Tucson Classics beneficiaries — Sister José Women’s Center and Wright Flight — also fit the profile of the Community Needs Assessment.

“Wright Flight uses an aviation role model to help kids set and achieve goals in order to have a ride-along with the Wright Flight team, while Sister José Women’s Center serves Tucson’s unsheltered women. They are both incredible nonprofits,” Hoffman said.

She credits the public — and a huge force of volunteers — for supporting the 240-member Rotary Club of Tucson in its efforts to provide a fun, affordable day for families while building a stronger, more prosperous community.

“When my husband and I were asked to co-chair, we were told we are a good team, but the fact is that this is the 18th year of Tucson Classics Car Show and though we make tweaks each year, the model for the show is set. It runs like a well-oiled machine thanks to amazing volunteers from within Rotary Club of Tucson and the entire community,” Hoffman said.

The camaraderie built amongst the like-minded people who volunteer is very special, according to Kandie Vactor, registrar and historian for the event.

“This is such a labor of love. The community really comes into play and we are able to give away so much money and keep the ticket price at $10 because of our volunteers and great sponsors,” Vactor said.

She encourages anyone who might share Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self” to volunteer and join car enthusiasts and others in viewing 31 classifications of classic vehicles, including a special feature of Cobras and Vipers. New classifications this year include Resto-mod Pro-Touring and Tuners, which Vactor described as “‘Fast and Furious’ type of cars for racing.”

Other unique offerings include Best in Show Stock and Best in Show Modified awards.

“Modified vehicles have become very popular because young people are getting into the business of modifying cars with bigger engines and getting into involved in creativeness with vehicles ... it is really exciting to see the evolution,” Vactor said.