Car show will benefit Easter Seals in Kane, DuPage counties

Eighteen months ago, 6-year-old Lisette Betancourt could not walk because of cerebral palsy.

But on Tuesday the Carpentersville girl raced from one spot to the next, gripping her mom's hand tightly. Her mother, Benita, credits the intensive therapy Lisette received at the Jayne Shover Center, an Elgin facility operated by Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region.

"It's been a hard road for her, but after a year and a half she's come real far," said Sylvia Garcia, the center's development director.

Kane County Sheriff Pat Perez hopes to help more kids like Lisette through a charity car show the department is holding Sept. 30 at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles Township. Perez hopes to make it an annual event.

"I couldn't think of a more worthy cause," Perez said at a news conference announcing the event.

With offices in Elgin, Villa Park, Naperville and Bolingbrook, the organization helps 3,000 clients annually in southwestern DuPage, Kane and DeKalb counties. Among its offerings are physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, medical nutrition therapy and social services.

A car buff himself, Perez said someone suggested the idea of a hosting a car show during his campaign for sheriff last year. He has spent the last nine months restoring a bright yellow 1971 Ford Torino GT.

The show is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. Registration is 9 a.m. to noon and there is a $10 entry fee. Prizes will be awarded in four categories: Pre-1983 cars, Post-1983 cars, Pre-1948 street rods and Motorcycles. All proceeds will benefit Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region.

If you go

Kane County Sheriff's charity car show, benefiting Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region, is scheduled Sept. 30:

• Registration 9 a.m. to noon; $10 entry fee

• Show noon to 4 p.m.

• At the Kane County Judicial Center, 37W777 Route 38, St. Charles Township

• Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Pre-1983 cars, Post-1983 cars, Pre-1948 street rods and Motorcycles.

• Corporate sponsorships available

• Rain date is Oct. 7

• Call (630) 761-8093