By Khalida Sarwari
Through its Hot Wheels for Kids Car Show, the Intero Foundation last year helped support a Southwest YMCA program that allows children with disabilities to enroll in a summer program. The organization hopes to continue the tradition of helping local children’s charities this year with its third annual event on May 4.
This year’s Hot Wheels for Kids Car Show will feature dozens of American cars of the classic, custom, muscle and hot-rod varieties. Attendees will have a chance to view the cars on display and talk to car owners. They’ll also have an opportunity to indulge in a barbecue lunch while listening to a DJ spin oldies.
“People hang out, have fun, check out cars,” said Kelli Dixon, a spokeswoman for the Intero Foundation. “It’s just a good family event.”
According to Dixon, the event has raised nearly $5,000 each year since it was launched in 2011. Started in 2003, the Intero Foundation is funded by company agents and employees and grants money to local charities that have a direct impact on children in need through various fundraisers held throughout the year.
“One of the important parts of Intero is it gives back exclusively to local children’s charities,” Dixon said. “Everything we collect goes to the Intero Foundation.”
One such charity last year was a Southwest YMCA program. As of late April, the charities for 2013 had not yet been identified.
“The charities change almost every year,” Dixon said. “We do try to spread it out to kind of maximize the impact … so we reach as many children as possible.”
Last year’s event featured 70 cars, including Porsches, and a variety of activities such as face painting. The show drew around 500 people, according to Dixon.
The car show will take place May 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Intero building parking lot, 12900 Saratoga Ave. in Saratoga.
The show is free, but attendees are encouraged to buy raffle tickets for an array of prizes that include gift certificates to local restaurants. The program will also feature an awards ceremony where trophies will be given to first, second and third place winners in various categories, including a people’s choice award.
To learn more about the car show, visit hotwheels forkidscarshow.com. The fee to enter cars in the show is $25.
For information about the Intero Foundation, visit interofoundation.org.
