'Cars for a Cure' scheduled to return next year

Community Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Mark your calendar because in six months, the Classic Car Showcase to raise money for cancer awareness is coming back for a third time. 

The third annual Miami Lakes Cars for a Cure is scheduled for Sunday, April 2, at 10 a.m. on Main Street, an event which raises money for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The year’s event raised $10,700, which was three times as much as the event in 2015. 

“Last year’s event was a huge success all thanks to the many volunteers, the car owners who brought out their beautiful cars, our vendors and The Graham Companies for allowing us to use the Main Street property,” said Roberto Alonso Jr., the event’s organizer whose father founded the Classic Car Showcase and Miami Lakes’ first vice mayor. 

“We also want to thank the Dolphins Cancer Challenge and the University of Miami for all of their help in making sure this event is an annual success.” 

The event honors Alonso’s father, who had an affinity for classic cars. The elder Alonso died from cancer.

This year, about 170 classic cars were on display as part of a fund-raiser to benefit the Sylvester Cancer Center, as vendors including Sports Grills and Giardino’s, served up some of the greatest dishes for participants admiring the classic vehicles, and a raffle.  

The event’s sponsors included The Graham Companies, Dolphins Cancer Challenge, the National Honor Society and the Xerox Corporation.

Alonso also thanked Bob Graham Education Center for raising $2,600 through donut sales for the cancer awareness event. 

Alonso said he is already looking forward to next year’s Cars for a Cure event with bigger results.
“We hope to continue to increase fundraising with additional vendors while still providing the residents of Miami Lakes with a family, friendly event for a great cause,” said Alonso. “It’s real nice to continue to get more people involved with partnerships and fundraising where all of the proceeds go to the Sylvester Cancer Center.”