Kane County Sheriff's Charity Car show a success

Kane County Sheriff Pat Perez couldn't help but smile Sunday as he looked across a sea of hotrods, motorcycles and muscle cars.

There were more than he had expected to show up for his first try at a charity car show -- and each one meant a larger donation for Easter Seals.

"I'm ecstatic," Perez said. "The response has just been fantastic. It shows what great people we have in this county."

Hundreds of spectators trickled in and out of the four-hour show at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles Township.

Perez said he expected as few as 75 vehicles to be on display because this was the first year. But the number was nearly double that.

"If they have this good a turnout this year, imagine next year," said sheriff's department mechanic Gary Harrison, who was displaying a fully restored 1978 Trans Am. "I'm very impressed."

There was a wide variety of vehicles, such as antiques, street rods and foreign models. The event also included food, raffles, DJ music and prizes for car owners in four categories.

All proceeds from the show went to Easter Seals DuPage and Fox Valley Region, which serves more than 3,000 clients annually in southwestern DuPage, Kane and DeKalb counties.

In addition to donations, the fundraiser netted some positive publicity for the organization, said Executive Director Mary Alice D'Arcy.

The organization provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, medical nutrition therapy and social services to children.

"A lot of people have heard of Easter Seals but don't know what we do," D'Arcy said. "(Through the show) I'm able to tell them how their contributions today are literally helping children walk and talk and have friends. It gives us the chance to tell our story."

Perez said Sunday that he intends to make the car show an annual event, and he's already picked next year's cause: the Disabled American Veterans.