For 230 Rotarians and hundreds of volunteers, fundraising is moving at full throttle with Saturday’s 8th Annual Tucson Classics Car Show.
“We have given more than $630,000 away to nonprofits since the event started and our goal this year is to raise more than $100,000,” said Pat Zumbusch, 2014 chair of the signature fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Tucson. “All of the proceeds go directly toward charity and covering the cost of the event.”
Tucson’s largest Rotary club has historically designated Reading Seed, a children’s program of Literacy Connects, as a primary beneficiary of funds from Tucson Classics and will continue to support the organization this year with 40 percent of event proceeds.
In addition, it will provide support for four other local nonprofits:
- The neonatal intensive care unit at Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital and Casa de la Luz Foundation, which provides hospice and quality of life support for patients with low incomes and their families, will each receive 20 percent of the proceeds.
- A combined 10 percent will benefit Imago Dei Middle School, which serves a large population of low-income and refugee children, and Tucson Youth Development, which provides education and vocational development opportunities for at-risk youth ages 14 to 21.
- The remaining 10 percent will support other local nonprofits.
People are also reading…
“This year we tried to do something for a number of organizations that we felt were very worthy. With Carondelet St. Joseph’s, we are taking care of the beginning of life and on the other end of the spectrum, Casa de la Luz Foundation cares for those at the end of life. The other nonprofits focus on children and youth,” said Zumbusch.
Education and work-force development are primary goals of Tucson Youth Development, which has operated locally for more than 50 years and offers vocationally-oriented programs, internships and two alternative charter high schools.
Executive Director Arnold Palacios said the organization is gratified that its summer internship program has been selected as a grant recipient and volunteers from Tucson Youth Development are looking forward to connecting with Rotarians and the community by assisting at the car show.
The Casa de la Luz Foundation is equally thrilled about the support and any awareness that will be generated through association with Tucson Classics, said Susan Villarreal, a member of the board of directors.
She said it is important for the public to become aware of the services the foundation provides for those in need, which can range from providing simple comforts or assisting with burial costs to funding transportation for a family member to visit a patient at the end of life or providing financial assistance so a patient can spend his or her last days at home.
“Hospice is something that no one wants to think about, but it is going to happen to many of us ... this foundation arose because people who had experience with hospice understood what hospice can do to help people at the end of life to have a good quality of life. Now we need to get our message out there. We are thrilled that the Rotary Club of Tucson appreciates what we are trying to do for those with limited means and is willing to support us,” Villarreal said.
Zumbusch said that Rotarians view the Tucson Classics not only as a vehicle for fundraising for worthy causes, but also as a source of accessible entertainment that brings the community together. He said that the club intentionally priced admission at $5 per person — free for children with a paying adult — to provide a good value for families.
“We should have a better field of cars than we have ever had, which is exciting since that is what many people come to see. But we are also dramatically expanding the food court this year and Literacy Connects will have a Kid’s Tent for those who are not necessarily ‘car people’ but want a family event or activities for the kids,” Zumbusch said.
Car buffs can expect more than 0a few unique cars, including two Ferraris, a 2014 Tesla and a 1911 Pierce Arrow, one of only seven in the world.
“It is 21 feet long and is just a gorgeous beast and such a rare example of a high-end car at that time. We are lucky that people want to support the charities out of the generosity of their hearts by lending cars like this to share with the public,” Zumbusch said.
