Highland Park Ford & Lincoln is hosting The Show & Shine Car Show, along with "The Great Teddy Bearathon" this Sunday, July 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at their location at 1333 Park Avenue West in Highland Park.
The dealership, in partnership with the Blue Oval Performance Car Club, is encouraging car show visitors to donate new teddy bears to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.
The Ronald McDonald Houses of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana provide a "home away from home" for families with children being treated in Chicagoland hospitals, offering private rooms, care and emotional support for those staying there. The nation's largest Ronald McDonald House, near Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood, falls under the group's jurisdiction, and they are currently fundraising to make the Lurie House the largest Ronald McDonald House in the world. The dealership hopes to contribute to that goal with Sunday's car show.
"I just have a passion for the charities," says Jerry Robbin, a salesman for Highland Park Ford and a longtime supporter of the Ronald McDonald House who is organizing the car show and charity drive.
Robbin started doing charity work for the Ronald McDonald House at the encouragement of his daughter, who had friends in school that were involved in the charity's Care-Mobile, a mobile clinic that brings pediatric care to underserved areas.
Robbin was also involved in the former ChiTown Car Cruises throughout the area, and estimates that around $125,000 over five years was collected for the Ronald McDonald House through the cruises. He hopes to continue that same tradition with the Show & Shine Car Show.
"I encourage people to come out to see some great cars, great people," said Robbin.
The show is open to collector cars of all makes and models, with a suggested donation of $10 upon registration the day of the show. All proceeds will be sent with the Teddy Bears to the Ronald McDonald House.
The dealership is giving away goodie bags and collectible dash plaques to the first 150 cars that register for the event. Both participants and spectators can votes on the two best cars in the show.
To learn more about the Ronald McDonald Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, visit rmhccni.org. Visit Highland Park Ford & Lincoln at www.hpfordlincoln.com. For more information about the car show, contact Jerry Robbin at jerry@jerryrobbin.com.
